A former Bay of Plenty farmer's dream of reopening the Gisborne to Napier railway line as an adventure tourism cycle track yesterday emerged from the mist of scepticism as a possible frontrunner in a new economic future for Wairoa.
While there were searching questions from an audience of more than 30 at a Wairoa Business Week forum, there appeared an acceptance that Railbike Adventures' Geoff Main could be on the right track with a plan he first took to KiwiRail in 2010 - well before a devastating track washout north of Opoutama and the mothballing of the line by the owners.
Mr Main, currently based in Auckland, reckoned "all the buttons" are ready to be pushed once KiwiRail grants access to the line - if it grants access.
Applauding the initiative in the spirit of can-do pervading the Wairoa War Memorial Hall in perhaps the most pertinent moment, and saying the area needs "10 such businesses", Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman and Wairoa farmer Fenton Wilson asked: "What can councils do to help?"
Entrepreneur Mr Main wasn't asking a lot, just an "open line" to consents, he said.