Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 2017 Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 Vision and Objectives 4 3 Regional and Local Strategic Alignment 5 4 Existing Walking and Cycling Infrastructure 8 5 Key Issues 9 6 Opportunities 12 7 Objectives and Actions 16 8 Implementation Plan 20 9 Maps 26 10 Monitoring and Reporting 34 11 Appendix 1: Additional Strategic Alignment 35 Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 2 1. Introduction his Strategy has been prepared to provide a framework Tto increase walking and cycling participation in the Kaipara district. It includes initiatives to develop and expand walking and cycling networks, for both local journeys as well as long distance touring routes to support economic growth. The Strategy also identifies opportunities for the district to collaborate with key partners to jointly fund and connect key linkages and develop behaviour change initiatives to change attitudes to walking and cycling. The social, environmental, economic and health benefits of cycling are well understood and there is increasing support and investment in the development of walking and cycling infrastructure. Providing safe and connected walking and cycling networks will take time and money, and this Strategy will provide Kaipara with priorities for investment. Key routes that support local and commuter trips, as well as linkages for recreational and tourism journeys that can provide economic benefits to the region have both been identified. Establishing and prioritising a network of routes will allow Kaipara to take advantage of new and evolving opportunities and pursue partnerships as they arise, maximising the benefits of Council’s investment. The Strategy This Strategy considers the local plans for walking and national, regional and local cycling already developed in some frameworks that walking and townships throughout Kaipara. cycling initiatives in the Kaipara Note that this Strategy proposes district seek to align with. In high level projects and initiatives particular, contributing to the that will enhance and expand vision of a regional framework for walking and cycling networks, as Northland, desired by NZ Cycle well as improving road user safety, Trails. Additionally, the Strategy and encouraging and promoting aligns with the national direction these modes. These projects are of the Draft Government Policy listed in the implementation plan Statement (GPS) on Land Transport section of this Strategy. This is not Funding 2018/19 – 2027/28, focused on footpath extensions regional goals of the Tai Tokerau or small scale projects, except Northland Economic Action Plan, where considered a priority. Further Twin Coast Discovery Highway investigation, feasibility and Route Development and the costings of projects is required. Northland Regional Land Transport Plan, and finally, closely reflecting 3 Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 3 2. Vision and Objectives Image Credit: NZTA The vision of the Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy is: ‘Working together to enhance walking and cycling in Kaipara’ Council aims to work towards this vision by focusing its efforts on the following three objectives: 1. Become a walking and cycling destination to support economic growth, and provide transport and lifestyle choices. 2. Partner with key stakeholders and community to deliver walking and cycling projects and behaviour change initiatives. 3. Develop district-wide and township walking and cycling networks that are safe, enduring and connect with nature. Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 4 3. Regional and Local Strategic Alignment 3.1 3.2 3.3 Draft Northland Regional Ministry of Business, Twin Coast Discovery Walking and Cycling Innovation and Highway Route Strategy – Northland Employment - Tai Programme Business Regional Council Tokerau Northland Case Economic Action Plan A draft Regional Walking and The Twin Coast Discovery Route Cycling Strategy is currently being The Ministry of Business, Innovation is identified within the Northland developed by Northland Regional and Employment (MBIE) has identified Economic Action Plan, in both the Council, in partnership with the three Northland as one of six regions Transport / Logistics and Visitor Northland district authorities; Far to be supported by the Regional Industry work streams, as an North, Whangarei and Kaipara. This Growth Programme. The aim of this important component in growing is anticipated to show the desired programme is to identify potential the Northland economy through framework for walking and cycling growth opportunities to increase increased tourism and better transport routes and aspirations for the jobs, income and investment. The Tai connections. To ensure these Northland region. Kaipara’s Strategy Tokerau Northland Economic Action outcomes were addressed holistically, is in alignment with this framework. Plan identifies four key workstreams, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) including the growth of the visitor and Northland Inc have partnered industry sector. Development to develop a Programme Business of tourism product offerings is Case (PBC) to collaboratively address specified and the Plan references the this. The PBC considers the case for development of “Kaipara cycleways investment to address problems on and walkways project – linking west the Twin Coast Discovery Highway coast lakes, coastline and forests”. A (TCDH) to encourage customers to number of cycling initiatives in this visit new places, try new experiences Strategy deliver on this and in doing so and stay longer in Northland. will generate tourism and subsequent The PBC identifies a number of economic benefits for the region. options/initiatives to achieve these outcomes. Cycling is an emerging visitor activity in Northland and has the potential to generate economic benefits for the region. Accordingly, cycling connections are an important component of the PBC preferred programme with recommended options including extensions to existing cycling paths, linking to other attractions and the creation of new infrastructure. 5 Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 5 3. Regional and Local Strategic Alignment Image Credit: NZTA 3.4 3.5 3.6 Ancient Kauri Trail Byway Northland Regional Land Kaipara District Council Transport Plan (2015 Annual Plan 2017/2018 The Byways concept was also developed as a project within the 2021) (Year 3 Long Term Northland Economic Action Plan, and Plan 2015/2025) and The Northland Regional Land aims to help revitalise the Twin Coast Transport Plan (RLTP) sets out the Draft Long Term Plan Discovery Highway. Themed Byway region’s land transport priorities and routes have been designed to create 2018/2028 provides a forecast of anticipated tourist journeys around certain areas transport revenue and expenditure Councils are required to produce a of Northland, with visually appealing over the period. It also illustrates Long Term Plan (LTP) to establish maps and a smartphone App for potential areas where walking and their intentions for the next decade. tourists to use. cycling opportunities should be The Plan provides a 10 year budget, The ‘Ancient Kauri Trail’ Byway has developed, including Dargaville, including anticipated revenue and been developed for the west of Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka and expenditure. Long Term Plans the Kaipara district, beginning in Mangawhai in the Kaipara district. are reviewed every three years to Maungaturoto and extending north This is therefore reflected in the ensure the direction still aligns with past the Waipoua Forest, highlighting development of ‘safe and connected community outcomes. the towns and significant features townships’; which emerge from this The goal for the provision of roads of this area, including Matakohe Strategy. and footpaths in the Plan is that Kauri Museum and Tane Mahuta, “People and goods are able to encouraging tourists to stop and move safely and efficiently around explore points of interest. Walking the district by a variety of means”. and cycling routes identified as Funding is available for footpaths part of this Strategy align with this (new and maintenance), as well as route and are considered to further $60,000 for the development and encourage users to travel through implementation of this Strategy. and stop in these areas, therefore Furthermore, in the draft Long Term contributing towards the economic Plan 2018/2028, around $300,000 per development of the district. annum is being sought from NZTA for the first three years to implement cycling projects (identified in this Strategy). As well as this, there will be $300,000 in 2018/2019 and then $150,000 each year after that for Mangawhai walkways. Council will seek opportunities to use their local share to leverage external funds and subsidies to maximise the 6 available budget. Kaipara Walking and Cycling Strategy 6 Image Credit: NZTA 3.7 3.8 3.9 Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa Kaiwaka Township Draft Mangawhai Domain) Reserve Improvement Plan – Community Plan - 2017 Management Plan 2016 2016 Mangawhai is the fastest growing The Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa Domain) Kaiwaka is a rural township located settlement in Kaipara as a result of Reserve Management Plan identifies approximately halfway between its proximity to Auckland and high opportunities to enhance walking Auckland and Whangarei, and recreational and scenic value. Kaipara and cycling experiences and improve provides a convenient rest stop for District Council has identified the connectivity within the Domain travellers using State Highway 1. Mangawhai Community Plan (MCP) as well as around the lakes and The Plan was a