Waikaia Forest Trails - master plan unveiled
Want to know more about the Waikaia Trails Trust and the Waikaia Forest Trails project?
If so, head along to a community meeting being held at the Waikaia Community Hall on Monday 30th May at 7pm.
In October 2020, Ardlussa Community Board approached the Southland District Council regarding a community members idea to build a mountain bike trail network in the Waikaia Forest.
Following ACB proposal, the SDC commissioned a concept plan by Elevate Trails to investigate the suitability of mountain bike trails in the Forest.
Elevate Trails concluded a mountain bike trail network in the Waikaia Forest was feasible.
The forest is currently an active forestry block, approximately 700 hectares, with around 110m of elevation.
A community consultation meeting was held in Waikaia in May 2021, after which the Waikaia Trails Trust was formed to assume governance of the project.
RideLine Consulting was engaged to prepare the Master Plan, to add further detail, stage, and cost the project development.
The plan by John Jones, of RideLine Consulting will be unveiled to the local and wider community and all interested parties at the meeting.
Outdoor recreation has seen a substantial increase in participation, particularly since Covid.
Mountain biking especially has seen an increase in uptake with bike shops all over New Zealand seeing an all-time high in bike sales.
Clubs nationally are also experiencing an increase in membership.
So, the timing is great to capitalise on this trend and create Waikaia Forest Trails.
At the meeting, Trust members will also explain their purpose and core values in relation to the project.
The Trust will present and inform the community of progress made to date and outline how the Trust intends to fund the project.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions during the presentation.