Taruheru River Pathway: Gisborne consultation opens on first-stage plans
Public consultation on a project almost 18 years in the making has opened in Gisborne.
Gisborne District Council is seeking feedback on the first stage of the Taruheru River Pathway (Te Ara o Taruheru).
The project, estimated to cost $15.7 million, will be delivered alongside Tairāwhiti Trails, using $2.5m committed in the council’s current three-year plan.
The remaining $13.2m is being sought through external funding.
The transport corridor was approved by councillors in March and will include off-road paths and on-road cycleways.
Cycle advocates and some residents have welcomed the project, which could provide a safer route for school students.
The first phase of construction would connect Campion Rd to Grundy St.
It was identified as the most deliverable section of the pathway within current funding constraints, while providing early benefits to the community.
A business case prepared by the council and Tapuwae Tairāwhiti Trails Trust (Tairāwhiti Trails) estimated the project could deliver $13.50 in health and transport benefits for every $1 invested.
This was based on economic modelling of the health, community wellbeing, safety, access and educational benefits of the shared path.
Consultation on three plans developed for the first section of the path has opened for feedback.
The first, from Campion Rd to Nelson Park, could include seating, planting and interpretive signage sharing the cultural and industrial history of the Taruheru Freezing Works monument site.
The second section, from the park to Mason St, could include smaller path connections and two options for passing the Gisborne BMX Club.
These include crossing an existing gully using box culverts or diverting around the gully to minimise earthworks.
The final section, passing Atkinson St Reserve to Grundy St, could include planting, safer street crossings and a potential connection to Atkinson St to allow for future park redevelopment.
Gisborne District Council director of liveable communities Michèle Frey said the pathway would connect communities and provide accessible active transport options.
Feedback would help determine the preferred pathway surface and ensure the design met community needs, with several options and associated costs available, she said.
“Te Ara o Taruheru is about creating better connections for our community while enhancing access to one of Gisborne’s most valued awa.
“We’re now at the point where we need to understand how people intend to use the pathway, how often they’ll use it and what type of surface will best meet those needs.”
The design would take into account available funding, with further stages developed as additional funding became available.
Work would continue alongside mana whenua to ensure place-based storytelling, cultural values and mātauranga Māori informed the pathway.
“The Taruheru River has deep cultural, environmental and community significance,” Frey said. “Working alongside mana whenua helps ensure the pathway reflects the stories, values and identity of this place.”
Tairāwhiti Trails trustee and district councillor Jeremy Muir said the project had been in the council’s long-term plan since 2009.
Walking school bus advocate Karen Forno previously told Local Democracy Reporting that schools had been waiting years for a safer route for students.
“They are all keen as mustard.”
Feedback closes on December 8.
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.