Wheels turning in Waipu

 

What began five years ago as an idea between two Waipu school girls, Emily Stolwerk and Ceili Lea, became a reality last weekend when stage one of the Waipu Cycleway was officially opened to the public.

The girls were bold enough to take their idea to the Whangarei District Council where they were commended for their ingenuity and foresight on behalf of the community and it was all positive from there on.

A Trust was formed as support for the Waipu Cycleway came from far and wide in monetary donations, free labour, donated materials and machinery, plus those who had granted access to their properties.

What started out as a good idea soon became a community project.

The sun shone brightly after several days of inclement weather as cyclists of all ages, runners, walkers and pets lined up to christen the first two kilometres of the cycleway which, it is planned, will eventually reach right out to Waipu Cove.

Tim Manning, chair of the Cycleway Trust, said the community had raised $250,000 of an estimated $1M project but are now in consultation over the planning of stages two and three.

“Over time members of the Trust had and will change, but the goal remains the same,” he said.

A community going forward.

n Online waipucyclewalk.com