Funding for Bay cycle trail fast tracked

A cycle trail meandering along the coast between Waihi Beach and downtown Tauranga could be up and running before the end of next year.

The 75km long Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle - taking in Matakana Island, kiwifruit and avocado orchards, historical buildings and sandy beaches - has been accepted for the second round of government funding.

The Western Bay plan was one of 13 accepted by Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

There were 54 applications in the second round, after six quick-start projects including Hauraki Plains and Waikato River trails, were approved in July last year.

Tourism Bay of Plenty has been handed $75,000 to complete a feasibility study of the Tauranga Moana trail, which would take two or three days leisurely cycling to complete.

The study needs to be completed by May 31 and, if everything stacks up, Nga Haerenga will provide a further $3.55 million to construct the trail that could be used by at least 70,000 cyclists/tourists a year.

Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times