Volunteers sought for cycle trail planting

Tree planting and a workshop for commercial operators are next on the agenda in the development of the Pou Herenga Tai-Twin Coast Cycle Trail.

A community planting day has been arranged for Saturday 9th July to get several hundred trees and plants into the ground as part of an ongoing landscaping plan for the 13.4 kilometre section of the trail between Kaikohe and Okaihau.

Cycle Trail Coordinator Adrienne Tari says the council is looking for all the support it can get from the community to make this happen.

"It should be a great day for families and will give children in particular a sense of involvement and an opportunity to plant a tree which they can watch grow and mature in the years ahead.

"Volunteers will need to bring raincoats, boots and a sharp spade or grubber. Those interested should assemble at the council offices in Memorial Avenue at 9.45 a.m. on the day and we will move from there onto the trail and get the planting underway," she says.

The next construction phase will involve track formation on a further 3.5 kilometres of the rail corridor between Carey Road and Ngapuhi Road at Kaikohe. Tenders are currently being appraised and work is expected to start in July.

"On the business opportunity front, Craig Wilson of Quality Tourism Development Ltd will facilitate a workshop for commercial operators on Wednesday 29th June at the Mid North Motor Inn in Kaikohe. Pre-registrations will be essential as the numbers for this workshop will be limited.

"Interested parties should contact me at the council as soon as possible to arrange participation," she says.