WALKING and CYCLING STRATEGY 2018 Contents
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Whangarei District WALKING AND CYCLING STRATEGY 2018 Contents About this Strategy 4 Our walking network 22 How do we align? 6 What are the types of walking pathways? 24 How do we connect? 7 Developing our urban shared path network 25 What are the key issues we face? 8 What are the types of cycle pathways? 26 What has the community told us? 10 How will our urban network look? 27 What are the gaps? 12 Whangarei Urban Network overview map 28 What are the actions and priorities? 14 Developing our Tourism and Recreational Routes 31 How do we set our priorities? 18 How will we monitor and review this Strategy? 36 How do we implement this Strategy? 19 Glossary of terms 37 What are the implementation risks? 20 Developing participation 21 Cover image: Hatea Loop - Huarahi o te Whai, photo by David Kirkland This page: Kotuitui Whitinga bridge, Hatea Loop - Huarahi o te whai 2 WHAT HAVE WE About this ACHIEVED SO FAR? We have made progress in developing our Strategy walking and cycling infrastructure, and delivering educational and participation programmes like INTRODUCTION Bikes in Schools, including: • the Hatea Loop shared path This Strategy provides a framework for increasing participation in walking and cycling as a principle • developed parts of the Onerahi Shared Path transport mode, and for recreational purposes, • commenced construction of the Kamo Shared contributing to a healthy and vibrant community Path and growing economy. Many facilities for walking • completed parts of the route from Waipu to and cycling will also provide opportunities Waipu Cove for mobility scooter and for small wheeled • delivered the Bikes in Schools programme to recreational vehicles, including skateboards and 3,400 children in 15 Schools scooters. This Strategy updates the Walking and Cycling Strategy for Whangarei City 2012. • mitigated Kauri Die Back risk through the installation of hygiene stations at some of our Increasing participation requires the provision high-profile walks e.g. Hatea River walk, AH of a safe and attractive walking and cycling Reid. network, providing connections between • developed additional mountain biking tracks communities, and where people live, work at Parihaka and play. Long term participation requires a commitment to educate young people on how • created a circular route from AH Reid, to stay safe whilst walking and cycling. This Clapham Road and Whangarei Falls commitment must also include opportunities for • opened Forest Roads on the eastern side of young people to participate, either by walking Parihaka and cycling to school; in group events; or in family outings. Most importantly, parents must OPPORTUNITIES have confidence in the child’s skills and the Whangarei City is located in the Hatea River environment that they will be walking and cycling Valley and is nestled between two major hill in. ranges and the Whangarei Harbour, creating an Connectivity is a key theme to this Strategy. opportunity to create a radial network of shared Whether it is connecting the places that pathways, cycleways and walkways connecting people live with where they work to enable the City Centre with the major urban areas. more commuter walking and cycling, or Whangarei has a growing tourism-based industry connecting across Northland Region with and there is opportunity to develop that industry Great and Heartland Rides. Where those further by providing and marketing varied networks and connections are attractive and walking and cycling opportunities. viable to commuters, there is the potential for significant benefits in road congestion reduction, The North Auckland Rail Line runs in a north- particularly at the school gate, as well as social, south direction, bisecting the city. This creates environmental, economic and health benefits to an opportunity to develop a shared pathway the wider community. within the rail corridor, creating an easy grade connection from the City Centre to Kamo. The development of a safe and connected walking and cycling network requires investment Whangarei District has a stunning coastline, over time. This Strategy provides Whangarei with outstanding natural features such as District Council, other funding agencies such as the Whangarei Heads. The existing Te Araroa NZTA, MBIE and community organisations with Walking Trail already connects these features. priorities and strategic direction for investment. There is opportunity to identify, develop and This Strategy also sets out the vision for a well- market flagship walkways to enhance the connected urban network of shared pathways, walking experiences available in the District strategic tourism and recreational routes, to compliment the District’s tourism-based including the development of rural Great and industry. There is also an opportunity to create a Heartland Rides that connect with other Districts. cycling path that compliments and enhances the existing Te Araroa Trail, connecting both north and south. 3 VISION, GOALS AND OUTCOMES Council Vision To be a vibrant, attractive and thriving District by developing sustainable lifestyles based around our unique environment; the envy of New Zealand and recognised worldwide Walking and Cycling Vision A walking and cycling destination that provides safe, integrated, attractive and viable networks for commuters as well as lifestyle and economic opportunities for residents and visitors. Walking and Cycling Goals A SAFE CONNECTED URBAN WALKING AND MORE PEOPLE WALKING AND CYCLING, MORE CYCLING ENVIRONMENT OFTEN • Separation from road users. • Facilities for a wide range of ages and abilities. • Safe walking and cycling routes to schools. • Promotion of safe cycling in schools. • Enough room for walking, cycling, mobility scooters and • Community walking and cycling events. other small wheeled recreational vehicles. • Attractive and viable routes for commuters. • Designed with personal safety in mind (CPTED). • End to end route design, connecting with other transport • A feeling of personal safety after dark. modes. • Safe and secure bike storage. • Partnering with community organisations and funding agencies. • Reducing conflict between cars and people. • Promoting behaviour change. • Integration with other modes of transport. • Promoting participation with Level of Difficulty gradings. A DESTINATION WHERE WALKING AND A WALKING AND CYCLING NETWORK THAT CYCLING IS A LIFESTYLE CONNECTS WITH OTHER DISTRICTS AND • Connecting with the environment SIGNIFICANT LOCATIONS IN OUR DISTRICT • Opportunities for loops suitable for family outings • Connected to regional destinations. • Reducing community severance • Connecting tourist hotspots, outstanding landscapes and vistas. • Enabling communities to leverage economic benefits from the provision of infrastructure and consistent • Connecting to other districts. marketing. • Creating opportunity for economic growth in the walking and cycling tourism sector. Community Outcomes EFFICIENT AND RESILIENT CORE SERVICES POSITIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE • Improved conditions for travelling • Stronger local economy • Congestion relief • Diversifying tourism opportunities • Reduced cost for Council • Reducing dependence on highly seasonal activities CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT PROUD TO BE LOCAL • Reducing environmental impact though • Healthier community lower emissions • Safer environment for cyclists and pedestrians • Happier, healthier citizens with good social cohesion 4 How do we align? The Walking and Cycling Strategy has a strong alignment with a range of national, regional and local funding priorities, Strategies and Plans NATIONALLY REGIONALLY LOCALLY The New Zealand Transport Agency Northland Regional Council has The Whangarei District Long Term Plan (NZTA) is a key partner and funding prepared a Regional Walking and (LTP) identifies funding for projects agency for transport projects in the Cycling Strategy in partnership with over the next 10 years, including $15.8 Whangarei District. NZTA has a holistic Far North, Kaipara and Whangarei million (with an NZTA subsidy) for new approach to walking and cycling District Councils. walking and cycling tracks. facilities, which includes participation The Regional Strategy provides the The Whangarei District Plan provides through education programmes, overall framework for regional walking the overall planning framework for the utilising walking and cycling tracks to and cycling routes and aspirations of City and includes a 'Kamo Walkability boost economic performance, as well the Northland Region. It is consistent Zone' where planning policy and rules as social well-being and health. with the focus of the Whangarei encourage walking and cycling. The NZTA walking and cycling investment District Walking and Cycling Strategy. walkability concept is expected to be priorities encompass support for high extended to other urban communities. The Northland Regional Land urban growth areas; growing and Transport Plan (2015-2021) sets out Whangarei 20/20 Momentum Project connecting safe urban cycle networks; the overall regional land transport 2016 identifies a range of community promoting economic development priorities. This includes a strategic development projects aimed at through connections to NZ Cycleway priority to increase travel choice creating a resilient and liveable Great Rides and other Cycle trails; and through public transport, walking, community. Community connectivity the promotion of greater participation. cycling and horse-riding. This Walking is a key theme of identified projects, Tourism NZ actively promotes walking and