NEWS RELEASE

Wednesday 18 February 2015

Work underway on first stage of Green Corridor

Work on the first stage of Rotorua’s new Green Corridor pathway is expected to get underway in Kuirau Park today [Wednesday 18 February].

The works contract has been let by Rotorua Lakes Council to local company Goodrick Contracting Ltd following a tender process.

The Kuirau Park Section of the corridor project will see existing pathways extended and widened to provide a compressed lime-chip ‘shared path’ for pedestrians, cyclists and others on wheels to use.

Rotorua Lakes Council’s Sports & Recreation Portfolio lead, Councillor Charles Sturt, said the pathway will Initially connect up with the existing cycleway to Ngongotaha at the northern Lake Road side of Kuirau Park and will wind its way through the park to the southern side, connecting with the Saturday market site.

“This phase of the Green Corridor project is expected to take approximately five weeks to complete and, depending on weather conditions, should be ready for use before the Crankworx Rotorua mountain bike festival gets underway in late March.

“Contractors will be trying to minimise disruption to park users as much as possible however we’d ask people to exercise caution and keep a close eye on children in the vicinity of vehicles and machinery in the park over the next few weeks,” he said.

Inner City Revitalisation Portfolio lead, Councillor Karen Hunt the corridor would ultimately continue into and through the inner city area, linking the city’s green spaces.

“It will then connect with other existing cycleways on the other side of town, providing a dedicated safe pathway alongside existing footpaths for the likes of cyclists, joggers and walking groups.”

“The Green Corridor project is part of our Rotorua 2030 Inner City Revitalisation Strategy, and complements our Sports & Recreation Strategy, and is a partnership of Rotorua Lakes Council, NZ Transport Agency, the Inner City Focus Group and the Rotorua Cycle Action group,” said Ms Hunt.

The project has an approved budget of $397,000, with 57 per cent ($226,290) being funded by the New Zealand Transport Agency.

Ends

© Scoop Media