Support for Tairua River Trail Targeted

By John Freer

Those looking to complete the cycle and walking trail linking Tairua and Pauanui, have set themselves a mission over the pending holiday season – they want public support.

When explaining the remainder of the project to CFM, Hikuai District Trust chairman, Derrick Adams, said a key aspect was engaging the wider community to gain public support, which he believed was there.

“We will be attending events in Tairua and Pauanui over the holidays to ensure we get the views of the people.”

This information will then be carried over to a resource consent application covering the remainder of the works. These works include a bridge across the Tairua River and a boardwalk alongside the Tairua foreshore.

The trust has already held preliminary discussions with the Waikato Regional Council which will consider the consent application. Derrick said the discussions did involve local regional councillor, Warren Maher.

He said the trust had also met Thames Coromandel District Council staff and the Mayor Len Salt.

A budget of $5 million has been set, the majority of which will go towards the bridge and boardwalk.

He said funding would come through the Trust, but the funding had to come from somewhere. He said there were expectations that funding streams could be available through Government and local government, while they would also be engaging with philanthropic organisations and individuals.

Derrick acknowledged the amount of work previously undertaken by volunteers and local organisations in building the existing part of the track, something he hoped would continue.

Click on the link below to hear the full interview.