Bridges project
Project Tauranga partner TECT granted $175,000 to the Kopurererua Valley Rotary Centennial Trust to build two bridges to complete the north-south link, increasing accessibility from the Lakes right through to Birch and 17th Avenues. The bridges add to the extensive restoration work already done, including the 15 kilometres of boardwalks and walkways already in the valley.
Kopurererua Valley
The project will cost several million dollars over a twenty year period. It is proposed that part of the project will be funded 50% by rates and the rest by the Project Partners. These partners are being Tauranga Rotary, Comvita, Naturally Native, Opus, and Downer.
Tauranga Rotary
The four combined Rotary Clubs of Tauranga (Tauranga, Tauranga Te Papa, Tauranga Sunrise and Otumoetai) are delighted to be able to contribute to the development of a major city asset. Rotary has a long history of contributing to the community and the Kopurererua Valley project is their most ambitious project yet.
The combined Clubs established a Centennial Trust in partnership with Council and are undertaking a staged project over 10 years which will see the equivalent of $150,000 per annum committed to the project by Rotary. Rotary have a vision of bringing life into the valley, with a network of walking and cycling tracks and native plantings which will return the valley to nearer its native state. Rotary have strong links with schools and have mobilised an existing Rotary project called "Trees for Survival" where schools plant and grow seedlings for revegetation, to assist in the extensive planting programme.
Opus Consultants
Opus have been providing planning advice and assistance to the Kopurererua Valley redevelopment project since it began. Opus are strong supporters of the revegetation project and provide enthusiastic staff support for annual planting days. They are also advocates for sustainable transport and take a keen interest in the valley’s development into a key part of the city’s walking and cycling network.
Comvita
Comvita are foundation supporters of the Kopurererua Valley redevelopment project. Comvita supports the "Birds, Bees, Kids and Trees" programme in the valley as a way of introducing children to environmental issues while helping to restore the valley to a more natural state. Planting days are held annually for bus loads of school children who are encouraged to return in future years to see how their trees are doing.
Naturally Native
Naturally Native provides plants and technical expertise to assist with the development of Kopurererua Valley.
Naturally Native is a Tauranga based company which is a significant supplier of native plants for large environmental and landscaping projects, including many Tauranga City Council environmental restoration projects. These include the replanting of Mauao after the devastating fires in previous years, and the Matua Saltmarsh restoration, recognised on the Ramsar World register of wetland environments.