Western Bay of Plenty District Council has pledged $30,000 towards a feasibility study for the 75-kilometre cycleway and Ross says the trail will bring vast benefits to the Western Bay economy and to the region as a tourist destination.

“This trail will run through some of the prime coastal landscape of Western Bay – our communities in Waihi Beach, Athenree, Katikati, Omokoroa and Matakana Island will each have opportunities to capitalise on the benefits of this fantastic tourist attraction,” says Ross.

Tourism Bay of Plenty's proposal to the Ministry of Tourism for the Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail was one of just 13 from 54 funding applications to gain acceptance for a feasibility study in the New Zealand Cycle Trail project – Nga Haerenga.

The Kaimai Range and the Kaimai-Mamaku forest park form a backdrop for the trail which will potentially take cyclists and walkers through a diverse landscape of orchards, farms, beaches, sand dunes, pohutukawa trees, Matakana Island forest plantations, the Tauranga Harbour and of course consistent views of Mauao.

Cyclists could complete the 75-kilometre trail over two or three days, providing great economic opportunities for local visitor accommodation and service industries.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Tim Burgess says the cycleway is a massive opportunity in front of the region and he urges the community to pull together to make it happen. Initial estimates put the annual boost to the economy from potential cycling visitors at $6 million.

He says the Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycleway “ticked a lot of criteria” to gain the chance to complete a feasibility study – the main ones being the easier gradient of the cycleway's proposed terrain and the proximity to urban centres, accommodation services and existing infrastructure.

The cycleway would give the region another “product” to put Western Bay and Tauranga on the map as a serious attraction for international visitors, says Tim.

The concept behind the national cycleway builds on the success of attractions such as the Otago Rail Trail that is used year-round by locals and tourists for walking and cycling.

Tim says the Tauranga Moana trail will be a similar resource for our communities.

“We want people to think about this as a long-term community asset that will benefit our communities because it will connect them by other means than motorised vehicles - and we must not forget that this walking and cycling trail is for everyone – it will be as much for locals as for visitors.”

Job opportunities would also flow from the cycleway – such as trail building and ongoing maintenance – and also business opportunities such as bike tour operators, cafes, water taxi services, bike hire and repairs, accommodation, bike events, marae stays.

The challenges facing the feasibility study team will be to gain buy-in from the many and diverse landowners ranging from corporate, private, individual and territorial authorities whose approval must be obtained before the cycleway gets the green light.

“Our biggest challenge will be trying to consult with all the landowners in such a short space of time,” says Tim. “The Ministry has only given us until May to complete the study.”

The $150,000 feasibility study will be jointly funded by the Ministry of Tourism Cycleway fund ($75,000), Tourism Bay of Plenty, Priority One, Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Tauranga City Council and Environment Bay of Plenty.

If the Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycleway gains approval, construction could start by the end of this year. The Feasibility Study work is determining design and construction costs for the route but the National Cycleway Fund has already allocated $3.55 million towards these costs.