12 January 2015 | NZ Transport Agency - Waikato & Bay of Plenty

NZ Transport Agency confirms support for Green Corridor in Rotorua

Rotorua is set to be revitalised by a $397,000 ‘Green Corridor’ that will link Government Gardens and Kuirau Park, creating a dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists to travel through the city.

The Green Corridor will run from the Sulphur Point cycle trail up Hinemoa St, right on to Tutanekai St, left on to Haupapa St, and into Kuirau Park.

It will be a space for pedestrians, mobility scooters, joggers, cyclists, scooter riders and skateboarders and it is envisaged it will include artwork, landscaping and carvings.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has confirmed it will fund $227,000 of the estimated $397,000 project cost, with the Rotorua Lakes Council meeting the local share of around $170,000.

The NZ Transport Agency’s Waikato/Bay of Plenty Regional Director Harry Wilson says the Transport Agency is pleased to co-fund a project that will provide safe and healthy travel choices.

“The Transport Agency is focused on providing integrated transport solutions that offer safe travel options whether people choose to drive, ride a bike or walk,” Mr Wilson says.

“Rotorua’s Green Corridor will encourage more people to cycle and walk to their destinations, which will in turn help alleviate congestion on our roads, improving travel time for motorists.”

Mr Wilson says Rotorua Lakes Council presented a compelling business case to the Transport Agency, taking advantage of a window of opportunity to gain funding for the exciting project.

“The Transport Agency is pleased to back the Green Corridor and we hope to contribute further to the revitalisation of Rotorua’s inner city in the future, working in partnership with the council to create transport solutions that will improve linkages and make the inner city safer for people using all modes of transport.”

The Green Corridor project will also complement the proposed addition of bicycle racks on Rotorua buses to enable people to combine modes of transport, Mr Wilson says.

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Inner City Revitalisation portfolio lead Councillor Karen Hunt says confirmation of NZTA’s contribution to the Green Corridor project is great news.

“This is about making it welcoming for everybody, however they choose to arrive or get around. We are providing something which will make the inner city accessible for those on wheels as well as on foot and in cars,” Cr Hunt says.

“We look forward to working with the NZTA to help make it a reality and create a destination recreational feature within the inner city.

“The Green Corridor project has been part of Council’s planning since 2005 and has been consulted on prior to the decision this month to go ahead with it. As recently as September we conducted a public survey to determine the level of support and the majority of respondents supported the concept,” Cr Hunt says.

“This is a concept that has enhanced many cities around the world and I’m confident it will attract more people into our inner city.”

Work on the Green Corridor is expected to begin in March with the aim to have it ready for use by the end of June.

ENDS

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