Four million dollars in external funding has been confirmed from the Provincial Growth Fund for the construction of a cycle trail for Kaihu Valley.
Kaipara District Council says the Kaihu Valley Trail will start from Donnelly’s crossing and meander down to Dargaville – providing magnificent vistas of the land and the Kaihu River down the Kauri Coast.
It said the new trail would be a section of the Ancient Kauri Trail, that would be developed in stages and eventually link Ōmāpere, on the Hokianga Harbour, to the Mangawhai Coast.
“The Trail will run mainly along the picturesque old railway corridor,” Council said in a statement.
“Where this is not possible we are working with the landowners to discuss options.
“Initial planning is underway and we have begun meeting with landowners along the trail to discuss the proposal. The final route will be confirmed after these discussions and site visits are completed.”
Council said the trail would offer an opportunity to employ people in the local community, including those displaced by COVID-19 and also aligned with the feedback received from the Kaihu Valley residents, who listed the lack of economic opportunities as one of their three main concerns.
“Recruits will undergo a 6-week training programme to gain the skills required to build the trail and set them up for ongoing employment in the industry,” Council said.
“Training is across a range of skills needed to develop the trail; machine operation, earthworks, civil construction, fencing, traffic management, vegetation, landscaping and more.”
The project is due to be completed in October 2022.
