GDC, please reconsider

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

We are very pleased to see that the council is progressing a cycling “spine” to enable easy and safe cycle routes around the city. A built environment that promotes active transport contributes to improving the health of the whole population.

In a region with the highest rate in New Zealand of obesity in children, as well as very high rates of diabetes and obesity in adults, we need to do all we can as a community to encourage increased physical activity — which also has established benefits to mental health.

However, we are disappointed to read that the council has “scrapped” the idea of the cycleway being built along the Taruheru River.

The walkway/cycleway along Waikanae Beach is very successful and has increased the number of people getting out to exercise and having fun. A cycleway alongside the Taruheru river would build on this success.

The route along Aberdeen Road is of course less expensive, however there are still many challenges from a safety perspective — with multiple vehicle crossings and street intersections.

From our point of view, as public health professionals, there are many health and wellbeing benefits to our community that an active transport pathway, alongside the Taruheru River, can bring.

We believe it would have long-term economic benefits in promoting Gisborne as an attractive destination to visitors and people wishing to relocate here. It would also show responsiveness to our youth who will have an attractive and safe way to get to school, separated from traffic as much as possible.

With these longer term outcomes in mind, we respectfully urge Gisborne District Council to reconsider this decision.

Dr Margot McLean

Medical Officer of Health, Hauora Tairawhiti

Kate Sykes

Manager, Population Health Team, Hauora Tairawhiti