In mid January 2010 guidance was released to Approved Organisations (AOs) seeking expressions of interest in becoming a walking and cycling model community. Applying to be a model community is a two stage process and as part of stage one, 22 proposals were received from interested councils.
Overall, the majority of the proposals were of a high standard and clearly demonstrated their commitment and passion to become a model community. It is also evident that there are many communities through-out New Zealand that are already demonstrating the vision of developing great places to live, work and play through their past and current investment in walking and cycling.
A national office model community steering group evaluated all 22 proposals and endorsement has just been given to approach Nelson, New Plymouth, Hastings and Taupo, as the short listed councils to progress to stage 2 of the walking and cycling Model Community process. In this stage we will assist these councils to develop a more detailed, evidence based proposal that the NZTA Board will consider for funding.
We anticipate that detailed proposals will be completed by end of April and that once assessed recommendations for funding will be presented to the NZTA Board meeting in June.
From NZTA
Contacts
Nelson - Project Manager - Andrew James 03 546 0263
Taupo - Claire Sharland 07376 0080
Hastings - came from the Chief Executives office
New Plymouth - Carl Whittleston 06 7596060 ext 98891
The Model Community Project is Nationally coordinated and regionally managed and implemented. So with this in mind our Regional Programme and Funding Managers are the key contacts in the Region and our point of contact with the councils.
so the key contacts in the region are;
Denise Elers (Denise.Elers@nzta.govt.nz) - Hastings and New PlymouthPeter Hookham (Peter.Hookham@nzta.govt.nz) - Nelson
Andrew McKillop (Andrew.McKillip@nzta.govt.nz) - Taupo