New Government funding for national bike trails

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has announced a $9 million Government boost for bike trail infrastructure upgrades and replacements.

However the funding is limited to a minimum of $75,000 and a maximum of $3 million per project. This won't be sufficient to fill an apparent funding gap for the unfinished Kawarau Gorge trail which Crux understands is up to $5 million short of the cost of completion. 

Applicants for the new funding will be expected to fund 25-50 per cent of the total project cost.

Today’s announcement came in Queenstown, where Minister Upston attended the opening of the Hugo Tunnel on the separately funded Shotover Gorge Trail. 

“Together, the 23 Great Rides receive about a million visitors a year, of whom around 20 per cent are international visitors,” Louise Upston says.

“With those numbers expected to continue growing, maintaining and improving these trails is a must, so visitors can keep enjoying the unique experience of pedalling through New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes.

“We know some of the Great Rides trails need work so the first priority will be addressing issues such as improving design and resilience, making them better able to cope with rider numbers and extreme weather.

“I’m excited to announce this investment and am looking forward to seeing local communities welcome more visitors to experience everything they have to offer.

The two years of funding is available through the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund and applications open on 31 March.

This is a contestable funding round and applicants will be expected to fund 25-50 per cent of the total project cost.

• The Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Fund will contribute a minimum of $75,000 and a maximum of $3 million per project, while applicants will be expected to fund 25-50 per cent of the total project cost.
• Up to $30,000 per project will be made available from the Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund for the development of a cost-benefit analysis or engineering assessment for projects over $1 million.
• Applications can be made from 31 March through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s website: www.mbie.govt.nz