Kawatiri Coastal Trail
The PGF has allocated $9.4m to develop the Kawatiri Coastal Trail. The 55km, family-friendly cycling and walking trail will wind its way through gold rush heritage sites and areas of high significance to Ngāti Waewae to highlight the region’s rich history.
The idea for the trail began in 2015 when a group of Charleston residents built a shingle track between Rotten Row and Nile Bridge. In late 2016, the Kawatiri Coastal Trail was included in the Government’s Regional Growth Study and led to DWC and MBIE co-funding a business case and feasibility study for the project. The Charleston–Westport Coastal Trail Trust prepared a PGF application aligned with the business case which subsequently secured PGF funding in November 2018.
Construction on a section of the Trail from Westport to Carters Beach commenced this year and is scheduled to be open before Christmas 2020. The overall project is expected to employ over 30 people in construction, project management, design, engineering, ecology, and archaeology, providing much-needed economic stimulus.
“Thanks to DWC who helped progress this initiative by contributing $50,000 towards the business case, which helped secure the $9.4 million funding from the PGF for this project.”
DWC contribution: $50,000
Government investment: $9.4m
Investment attraction stories
Regional skills and employment programme
DWC secures funding for a regional skills and employment programme
Learn more
Oparara Arches project
DWC funded business case helps secure PGF funding for Oparara Arches project.
Learn more