Walking & Cycling
Improvements
What we're proposing to reduce
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we 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 proposing to reduce funding for this?
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling. We’d 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
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we stop budgeting for new walking and cycling connections, and safety improvements for walking and cycling.
The only walking and cycling connection included in the draft 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.
Continue to steadily improve walking and cycling connections, but over a longer time frame
We could continue to steadily improve walking and cycling connections by spreading the projects over a longer period.
• Tower Road Matamata pedestrian $50,000, completed 2024/25
• Hinuera to Piarere cycleway $1.8m over 4 years, completed 2028/29
• Te Aroha to Matamata cycleway offshoots and minor upgrades $187,000 over 2 years, completed 2028/29
• Te Aroha to Morrinsville cycleway $3.2m over 3 years of this LTP ($6.5m in total), completed 2042.
Standard of service this would provide:
Improvement to existing walking and cycling networks.
Impact on debt:
$6.2 million after 10 years.
Average additional operating cost per year:
$263,000 over 10 years.
Average additional cost per property per year:
$10.74 over 10 years.
Other projects we're proposing to reduce
Town centres infrastructure
We’re proposing to prioritise maintaining and renewing the existing infrastructure over doing any major upgrades.
Stage for Matamata Civic Centre
We’re proposing that to keep costs down, we remove this project from our work programme and maintain the level of service we currently provide.
Te Aroha Spa
We are proposing to continue to explore options to help Te Aroha capitalise on its rich spa history and thrive as a tourist destination.
Read more...
Additional Playgrounds
We’re proposing that we limit new playgrounds to the planned, new playgrounds in Matamata and Te Aroha to keep costs down.
Roading Renewals
We’re proposing to spread out our road pavement renewal programme over a longer period. We would closely monitor the quality of the road network, and prioritise work to try and keep the roads to the current standard.
