Tourism Minister awards Kaipara over $480,000

 

The impact of tourism on Kaipara’s infrastructure has recently been recognised in the recent round of grants  distributed by Minister of Tourism Kelvin Davis from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF).

The projects approved for support were prioritised to improve the visitor experience for those turning left at the Brynderwyn’s to see what the West Coast of Kaipara has to offer. Matakohe Toilet and Footpath will refurbish the toilet block in the cemetery as well as connecting the Matakohe township to the cycleways to be finished alongside the Matakohe bridge replacement.

“Good things come in threes and we’ve scored a perfect hat-trick here,” said Kaipara mayor Dr Jason Smith, who welcomed the funding from the TIF. “Adding these upgraded facilities to existing Kaipara ones is better than a Royal Flush.”

The total cost of the projects identified is $917,240 with the TIF providing $486,684. The Council’s share for each project varied, but in total Council is required to fund related resource and building consent costs. Maungaturoto toilet block and carpark is a complete demolish and rebuild, based on a community-provided design, along with three car park spaces behind the block.

Bayley’s Beach access boardwalk and toilet update is a boardwalk connecting the carpark to the existing toilets, with a façade refresh and maintenance with the boardwalk then continuing beyond to the beach. It is expected, now that funding has been approved, the projects will start within the next calendar year.