Taupo could become NZ's first walking and cycling model community

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has just announced that Taupo is one of four New Zealand towns to be shortlisted to become New Zealand’s first walking and cycling model community.

From the 22 proposals received by NZTA, Taupo has been shortlisted as one of four Councils to progress to stage 2 of the walking and cycling model community process. The decision announced by NZTA at the beginning of March also includes Hastings, New Plymouth and Nelson.

Councillor Bernhard Chrustowski, Taupo District Council’s walking and cycling champion, was elated with the news. “To me Taupo is already the walking and cycling Mecca, so I wasn’t surprised that we are shortlisted. When you look at it our credentials we really stack up against other towns in NZ.”

Cr Chrustowski says being the model walking and cycling community for NZ would be a fantastic opportunity for Taupo. “The additional funding will allow us to achieve even greater goals, and add to what we already have. And what better way to celebrate the hard work and efforts of groups like Bike Taupo, and the work council has done to make Taupo one of the best places in the country to walk and cycle.”

NZTA’s 2009/12 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) has funding of $2million in 2010/11 and $5million in 2011/12 allocated specifically for model communities for walking and cycling activities. The desired outcome is to deliver walking and cycling environments that make walking or cycling the easiest transport choice for the community, and to become models to all other town centres throughout the country.

The next stage of the application process involves council demonstrating how the proposed programme of activity will deliver a successful model community. This will involve sending maps of key walking and cycling locations, demonstrating investment opportunities with other transport activity classes and other organisations, as well as other council funding and activities that will contribute to model community success.