$2M Funding Boost
Top Image: Minister of Tourism Hon. Louise Upston alongside Dunedin Tunnels Trail Trust Chair, Brent Irving.
The Government is investing $2 million to extend the Dunedin Tunnels Trail and transform Dunedin into a premier cycling destination, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced on Friday.
“This trail not only showcases New Zealand’s stunning landscapes but also supports local businesses, creates jobs and offers unforgettable experiences for visitors and locals alike.”
The Government is investing in stages 2 and 3 of the project, extending the trail to Fairfield, Abbotsford, and Green Island. Stages 4 and 5 will take the trail to Kaikorai Valley and through the Caversham Tunnel into Dunedin City.
Once complete, the trail will span 15 kilometres between Mosgiel and Dunedin, featuring two historic railway tunnels, the Chain Hills Tunnel at Wingatui and the Caversham Tunnel at Burnside/Kaikorai.
This investment is part of the Government’s recently announced Major Events and Tourism Package.
“We are proud to support projects that deliver real economic impact and can get underway immediately. I’m looking forward to seeing this one take shape,” Louise Upston says.
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Minister Louise Upston with Trustees (from left) Jane Bruce, Gerard Hyland, Brent Irving, Ant Wither, Kate Wilson. Clare Noakes unable to attend on the day. |
Trust chairman Brent Irving said some trustees had tried to make this happen for about 20 years.
"We got $1.8 million from the Dunedin City Council to get stage one going, and the $2 million gets to stages two and three," he said. "It's just going to gain momentum from there.
"We're seeing a few local businesses now saying, 'Hey, we're going to step up now, we want to see stages four and five go ahead', and the next stages shouldn't be quite as expensive."
Not just commuters from Mosgiel or tourists would benefit from the trail," he said. Hundreds of students would now have an opportunity to bike into Mosgiel to go to school.
"It's a 5km ride on a grade one," he said. "Now, with e-bikes, 15km is a bit over half an hour, 40 minutes ride, so you could easily ride into Dunedin city without working up too much of a sweat on my e-bike."
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