The pedals are being put in motion to establish a region-wide cycle trail that will potentially span from Waihi to Maketu.

Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District Councils yesterday approved the first leg of the Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle Trail from Omokoroa to Tauranga as a priority joint council project.

The proposed cycleway from Omokoroa to Tauranga.

A planning group will now be established to help seek external funding, including expressions of interest from TECT and the New Zealand Transport Agency.

There are three components to the trail in the joint committee report - Waihi to Waihi Beach; Omokoroa to Tauranga; and Tauranga Eastern Link to Maketu and Paengaroa.

TCC is yet to agree on funding and will consider it as part of its Long Term Plan. Western Bay has earmarked $260,000 for the project.

WBOPDC deputy chief executive Gary Allis says the Omokoroa to Tauranga route can be achieved through public land use. Further work is required on utilising rail-land and bridges, iwi consultation, and the Wairoa River crossing link to Otumoetai.

The Omokoroa to Wairoa River section is expected to cost $1.3-1.8million and will be funded by WBOPDC and external sources.

A new $1.5m iconic Wairoa River Bridge will be a joint council funded project with help from external sources. The remaining Wairoa River to Otumoetai section will cost $1.5m in estuary reclamation funded by TCC and externally.

A full cycle trail was first touted in 2010 as part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail but was later dropped.

The proposed Tauranga link was to span 75 kilometers from Waihi to Tauranga, along the harbour side of Matakana Island. It would link into national cycle trails designed to generate lasting economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealand communities.

Tourism Bay of Plenty general manager Rhys Arrowsmith says councils must seriously consider what could ultimately be a trail from Maketu to Thames.

'We would have the longest trail in New Zealand and that would be a unique selling point,” says Rhys.

'Having the cycle trail intertwining coastline and the country gives the region a chance to showcase its true depth.”

An application to fund the plan is in the second phase of the Prime Minister's Tourism Growth Fund which could see $500,000 put towards the project.

He says cycle tourism in New Zealand has plenty of growing to do; only representing four per cent of tourism activity compared to the 12 per cent overseas.

Tourism New Zealand research shows New Zealand is considered 'most preferred” or 'on a shortlist” of preferred destinations for international tourists considering a cycle holiday.

WOPBDC councillor Garry Webber says it is simply a matter of 'connecting up all the dots” as the Tauranga Moana Coastal Cycle will link with the existing Tauranga City cycle network.

In the Western Bay, local cycle groups are working independently on establishing individual trails in Katikati and Waihi Beach, and a joint trail linking Katikati to Waihi Beach.

'This is one of the jewels in the crown. People might want to work here but we also want them to play here,” says Garry.