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People will soon be able to take leisurely strolls around the banks of the Rangitaiki River as the walkway development starts.
The walkway will extend 2.7km from behind the Edgecumbe Squash and Tennis Club through to Edgecumbe Domain, with multiple access points along the route.
Matahina Dam on the Rangitaiki River.
Rangitaiki community board member Viv Barr says the walkway development is being coordinated through the Edgecumbe Development and Improvement Team (EDIT).
“The initiative was identified as a priority project by the community at recent community vision meetings and EDIT, and the Rangitaiki Community Board has taken on the task of coordinating the project.
“Several members of the Edgecumbe community have regularly maintained sections of the river bank beyond their properties and walkers have made the most of the clear marginal strip.
“The walkway will connect these sections and extend on from this,” says Viv.
The walkway, which will allow greater accessibility to council reserves, has been jointly supported by Whakatane District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.
Viv says construction of the walkway will be carried out by community probation workers, supervised by the Department of Corrections at no cost to ratepayers.
“Presently their work involves the construction of a boundary fence along the stop-bank from the Cosmopolitan Club to the river wall through land leased for grazing.
“The fence will keep stock off the walkway with stiles provided to allow pedestrian access to the river.”
The pushchair-friendly walkway will be maintained through a Whakatane District Council mowing contract, with rubbish bins installed on the walkway also to be maintained through a District Council contract.
Work is expected to be completed in time for an official opening in the middle of this year.
