Rainforest Route looking for sealing fast-track

Sealing of a substantial part of the Te Urewera Rainforest Route may be heading for the fast-track, according to Ngai Tuhoe tourism operator Joe Doherty.

Mr Doherty, chairman of a cluster of businesses based around the rainforest route, was one of a high-powered delegation of MPs and Mayors who presented a case to transport Minister Steven Joyce in Wellington recently. He said the delegation left the meeting feeling cautiously optimistic after initially getting a less-than-hopeful response from the Minister.

"When we first walked in he said 'you guys are dreaming', but by the time we left he was instructing his officials to have another look at the issue," Mr Doherty said.

The visit to Wellington was initiated by Wairoa Mayor Les Probert and supported by Whakatane Mayor Colin Holmes, Napier MP and Government whip Chris Tremaine, Rotorua MP Todd McClay and East Coast MP Anne Tolley; all of whom attended the meeting with Mr Joyce.

It is proposed to split the project into four stages, beginning with sealing the rest of the road from Mangapapa Bridge to Tuai, followed by sealing from Tuai to Onepoto, then Onepoto to Aniwaniwa. Whakatane District already has a plan to seal the road as far as Ruatahuna in annual sections of around 2km.

A report assessing the economic effect of the proposal highlights the benefits of improving access to Te Urewera National Park and “enhancing the link between the Rotorua/Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay tourism markets”. It estimated this would bring just over $15 million a year into the Bay of Plenty, Wairoa and Hawke’s Bay region

Some companies are not allowing their campervans on that road because it is unsafe and the extensive stretch of unsealed road has been cited as a major deterrent for some visitors.

Mr Doherty said this is a significant issue for those in the Te Urewera Rainforest Route cluster whose ambition is to establish viable tourism businesses in their home rohe.

While not holding his breath for a positive response from the Minister, he is cautiously optimistic that there could be some good news in the not too distant future.

ENDS
Further comment: Joe Doherty, Chairman Te Urewera Rainforest Route Inc. phone 0800 873 937