Coromandel walking and cycling trail receives funding boost

Coromandel’s Hikaui District Trust has been awarded an $8,000 grant from the New Zealand Walking Access Commission to assist development a walking and cycling trail between Pauanui and Tairua.

The funding has been allocated from the Commission’s Enhanced Access Fund, which supports projects designed to enhance access to New Zealand's outdoors.

The grant will help the Trust to formalise legal access for the Pauanui Tairua Trail route, which will eventually extend 25km from the southern end of the Coastal Walkway track through to Tairua township.

New Zealand Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Mark Neeson said the trail would enhance access to highly desirable section of the Coromandel Peninsula.

“This is a project that will provide immense value for the local community and one that clearly demonstrates individuals, community groups and private organisations working together to enhance outdoor access. The project is receiving good community support and generous assistance from private landholders who have agreed to allow access across their land.”

The Trust is one of two organisations nationally to be awarded funding from the Enhanced Access Fund in the first funding round of 2014-2015.

The other funding recipient is Waipu Lions Club, which will receive $8,000 to support the creation of the final section of a coastal walkway from Waipu Beach to Langs Cove, in Northland.

Further funding for projects that enhance access to the outdoors is available throughout the year. Application forms, guidelines and further details about the 2014 application process are available in the Enhanced Access Fund section of the Commission’s website.

ENDS

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