Punakaiki business community welcomes start of Paparoa Track

A joint “do” at the new Great Walks Paparoa Track hut about halfway between Punakaiki and Blackball will be the appropriate way to celebrate closer community ties between the two villages, Punakaiki Promotions Group Chair Andrew Beaumont said today.

Attending the celebrations in Blackball to mark work starting on the new track, Mr Beaumont said the Punakaiki Promotions Group welcomed the new “sister-village” relationship with Blackball that will be created when the two are tethered by the track.

“The Paparoa Track will be a great leap forward in terms of visitor options to stay and play on the West Coast. And as a local business group, we fully endorse the Government’s recent commitment to investment in infrastructure to enable the new venture to be successful,” he said.

“We’re eagerly looking forward to working alongside Government agencies like the Department of Conservation on redeveloping Dolomite Point, upgrading local toilet facilities, encouraging more food outlets in the area, and looking seriously at mobile coverage along the Coast Road.

“But today is all about the new links that are being forged through our hills between the historic village of Blackball, and the dynamic West Coast tourism destination that is Punakaiki. We’re looking forward to that hut party to celebrate in true Coast-style.”

ENDS

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