Listen Now: 
March 05, 2020
Work starts to upgrade Taranaki Mounga crossing
Waatea Team
Posted On March 5, 2020
Taranaki iwi have blessed the first stage of work on the Taranaki Crossing in Egmont National Park.
Department of Conservation Taranaki operations manager Gareth Hopkins says more than 25km of track will be upgraded, including the popular tracks of the Pouākai Crossing, creating a mix of short walks, day walks and a multi-day walking experience on Taranaki Maunga.
The $13.3 million budget is coming from the Provincial Growth Fund and DOC’s Tourism Pressures fund.
He says the project will create opportunities for iwi and others to invest in tourism-related businesses and to support conservation efforts in the region.
Initial investment will focus on core walking infrastructure between Dawson Falls to North Egmont and on to Mangorei Rd, including building a large new swing bridge to keep people safe and enhance the visitor experience. The work on the 800m section of track near Mangorei Rd will be completed in autumn this year, and will resolve issues of a wet, boggy and uneven surface visitors have encountered.
Up to 30 short-term jobs will be created through work to upgrade tracks, carry out safety work and upgrade the Pouakai Hut. It’s expected there will be approximately 12 jobs directly created in the long term as a result of the project, with additional jobs created in support industries such as food and beverage and retail.
!["p_facebook"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/facebook.jpg")
& !["p_twitter"]("/site/uma/images/story_img/twitter.jpg")
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
RELATED NEWS
