Funding boost for Coastal Connection

A project to connect Dunedin's northern coastal towns to the city with an off-road pathway is a step closer with funding of $145,000 received from local charitable trusts last month.

The Dunedin Tracks Network Trust was granted $105,000 from the Otago Community Trust in their latest round and $40,000 from the AAW Jones Charitable Trust. The money is earmarked for construction costs of a section of the Coastal Connection trail, linking Waitati township to Mopanui Rd and the Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

Project coordinator Emily Cooper says "We are thrilled to receive these significant funds. We'd like to thank the board members of the trusts for their support of this community-led project. Our vision to provide safe, off-road connections for walkers and cyclists between our coastal towns is becoming a reality."

Construction on this section was started by volunteers earlier this year. Cargill Contracting is undertaking the majority of the remaining work and this section of the trail is expected to be completed in late 2025.

The trail will allow cyclists and walkers to ascend 270m in elevation off-road from Doctor's Point Rd to Mopanui Rd, providing sweeping views over Blueskin Bay. The trail will be mostly Grade 2 (easy) with some Grade 3 (intermediate) parts and is expected to open in 2025. A future off-road section planned from Blueskin Rd down to Port Chalmers will connect to Te Ara Moana, the harbour cycleway, and create a commuter route to Dunedin for Blueskin Bay residents.

Emily says progress is being made on other sections of the trail. A preliminary design for a clip-on to the Waikouaiti River rail bridge has been completed and lodged with Kiwirail. The clip-on forms part of the trail plan for the section from Waikouaiti to Karitane. "We will now embark on the approvals process so we can apply for resource consent. Once we have that we can work to fund it."

The route from Waitati to Orokonui Ecosanctuary and beyond to Port Chalmers