Media Release, Tuesday 6 September

Bike Taupo Scoops Top Award

Bike Taupo Advocacy Inc. has won the Supreme Award at the TrustPower Taupō District Community Awards.

The Awards were announced and presented last night, Monday 5 September, at a function at the Great Lake Centre, Taupo.

For winning the Supreme Award, Bike Taupo Advocacy Inc. received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. Bike Taupo Advocacy Inc. now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2011 TrustPower National Community Awards, which are being held in Ashburton District in March 2012.

Bike Taupo Advocacy Inc. also received a $500 radio advertising voucher from local Community Awards supporter Classic Hits 96.8 Lakeland FM. This is exclusive to the Taupo District and it will allow the Supreme Winner to profile its group to the community.

In total, TrustPower has given away over $5,000 to various community groups through the night’s Awards.

TrustPower Community Relations Representative Suzi Luff says Bike Taupo Advocacy Inc. is an example of a group who is always working solidly in the background.

“Through its work, Bike Taupo is an iconic local community group that is providing more than just a voice for cyclists – its providing a recreational asset with health and economic benefits for the local community too.

As well as encouraging and promoting biking as ‘human-powered’ transport, this group has built 80km of mountain bike trails in the area which they maintain too. Used for recreation and various events, these tracks are used by 20,000 people every year.

This group has tonnes of people and pedal power with a volunteer base totalling about 50 who band together to clear bike tracks after storms, support the council’s efforts for Bike Wise month and provide marshals for various local events.

Bike Taupo’s biggest current project is the funding and building of the “Lake Track” after signing an agreement with the government for $2.64 million over three years. Bike Taupo plans to build another 65km of mountain bike tracks from Kawakawa Bay to Waihaha, along the western side of Lake Taupo, attracting even more visitors to the area as a part of the National Cycleway Project.

We think Bike Taupo does a great job of being a one-stop shop for biking in and around the Taupo region. Through its vast track network, and its goal to get more people outside and on their bikes, Bike Taupo provides and maintains a major attraction for locals and visitors who come to ride these local trails and spend some money while they’re at it too,” says Miss Luff.

The competition for this year’s TrustPower Taupō District Community Awards was strong with 56 nominations received for the Awards. .

Other winners at the night’s TrustPower Taupō District Community Awards were:

Heritage and Environment
Winner: Waipahihi Botanical Society Inc.
Runner-Up: Taupō SPCA

Health and Well Being
Winner: Taupō Civil Defence Emergency Response Team
Runner-Up: Lake Taupō Hospice Volunteers
Commendation: Taupō Volunteer Transport Group

Arts and Culture
Winner: Centre Stage (Taupō)
Runner-Up: Taupō-nui-a-Tia Kapa Haka Roopu

Sport and Leisure
Winner: Taupō Harriers
Runner-Up: Mt. Tauhara Gymnastics Club

Education and Child/Youth Development
Winner: Apopo
Runner-Up: Whakamaru Playcentre
Commendation: Literacy Taupō

Supreme Winner
Bike Taupō Advocacy Inc.

TrustPower Youth Community Spirit Award
Winner: Hayley Martin – Taupō-nui-a-Tia College
Runner Up: Cassandra Van Der Hulst – Tauhara College

Classic Hits Volunteer of the Year Award
Winner: Allan Turia
Special Commendation: Ian Hill
Special Commendation: Peter Smart
Special Commendation: Thomas Anderson

ends

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