Whakatāne District Council has received 100% funding of $3.5 million from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency’s Transport Choices Programme for the development of a 2-kilometre shared use path from the Whakatāne Bridge to the Shaw Road subdivision and an off-road pathway in Awatapu.
This project is being developed through the national Transport Choices programme which aims to improve safe connections to schools and within our neighbourhoods through the delivery of walking and cycling infrastructure. The programme is 100% funded through the Climate Relief Fund.
The two projects feed into Council’s Active Whakatāne Strategy which is all about promoting active transport to live a healthier, safer and more active lifestyle. Whakatāne is well suited for reducing car use. By creating a more comprehensive and connected network, we can make it safer for kids to cycle to school or people to get to work.
Shaw Road Shared Use Path
The Shaw Road Shared Use Path will run along State Highway 30 from the Whakatāne Bridge to the Shaw Road subdivision and provide a safe alternative to alternative to travelling to work, school or to the shops by car.
The pathway is expected to safely connect users from Shaw Road to Whakatane and the Hub by a largely off-road trail suitable for use by cyclists, mobility scooter and other active transport users.
Awatapu Off-Road Path
The 1.9-kilometre Awatapu Off-Road Path will provide a walking and cycling route that connects an existing off-road path to other parts of the existing network, completing safe travel routes to a number of schools including Allandale Primary, Trident High School, Whakatāne Intermediate and James Street School. The project will also connect with the existing Awatapu Lagoon Path creating a 3.5km off-road loop for recreational use around Awatapu.
This trail will start at the end of the Awatapu Lagoon Path at Riverside Drive and follow the Whakatāne River stop bank to the Cutler Crescent netball courts and on to Bridge Street. It provides a safe way for students to travel, connecting with the Bridge Street Shared Use Path, and also completes a 3.5km off-road circuit around Awatapu providing for recreational usage as well. This project will provide a significant improvement in access to the Whakatāne River for the local community.