Walking & Cycling
Improvements
What we're reducing
To keep costs down, we'll stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling.
Over the last 10 years we’ve been focusing on improving walking and cycling connections in our towns. This drive was based on feedback from the community through previous Long Term Plans and our Parks and Open Spaces Strategy - highlighting that safe walking and cycling connections create healthier and more attractive communities. To support this, we have developed strategies, acquired land, developed some connections (e.g. tracks or paths) and worked with developers. It has also included some work around our schools to improve safe travel to and from schools.
Why are we reducing funding for this?
To keep costs down, we'll stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling. We’ll keep working with developers to ensure that any new developments have good walking and cycling connections, and would keep the existing land and strategies on the back burner in case opportunities for third party funding come up (such as the Transport Choices funding that recently funded the perimeter walkway at the Morrinsville Rec Grounds), or opportunities to partner with other community groups.
Stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections and safety improvements
To keep costs down, we'll stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling.
The only walking and cycling connection included in the budget is $50,000 in 2024/25 for Matamata pedestrian improvements on Bridie Ave.
Standard of service this would provide:
No change/minor improvement to existing walking and cycling networks.
Impact on debt:
$50,000 on completion of project in 2024/25.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$3,600 per year following completion of the project.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$0.15 per year following completion of the project.
‘Slow but steady’ approach to improving walking and cycling connections
Council included $9.3m over 10 years for a ‘slow but steady’ approach to improving walking and cycling connections, including:
• Tower Road Matamata pedestrian $50,000, planned for 2024/25
• Hinuera to Piarere cycleway $1.76m over 2 years, planned for 2026/27
• Te Aroha to Matamata cycleway offshoots minor upgrades $175,000, planned for 2027/28
• Te Aroha to Morrinsville cycleway $5.4m over 5 years, planned for 2035/36.
Standard of service this would provide:
Improvement to existing walking and cycling networks.
Impact on debt:
$9.3 million after 10 years.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$361,000 over 10 years.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$14.75 over 10 years.