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Project Twin Streams walk and cycleways scoop top award

Project Twin Streams’ 9.3 km network of walk and cycleways has scooped the Avanti Award for Best Cycle Facility at the recent CAN (Cycling Advocate Network) Annual awards. 
The award is one of the top five awards given annually by CAN.

The award recognises the practical contribution the Project Twin Streams walk and cycleways have made to encourage walking and cycling within Waitakere. 

A recent survey showed a 49% increase in the number of Waitakere cyclists from 2007 to 2009; 32% of this increase coinciding with the completion of the majority of Project Twin Streams pathways. 

Waitakere City Councillor Linda Cooper said, “We are delighted that the Project Twin Streams walk/cycleways have collected another award – this time from the cycling community.”

“We aimed to make the walk/cycleways attractive and interesting as well as functional and we are pleased that Waitakere residents - of all ages – are using them to get around their communities.”

The pathways have been built alongside the Oratia, Waikumete, Opanuku, Pixie and Swanson streams, as part of the 2003-2012 Project Twin Streams restoration and revitalisation of the stream-banks.

The three-metre wide paths are constructed to enable use by a wide-range of residents; cyclists of all levels and experiences, pedestrians, care-givers with push-chairs and those with mobility devices. 

They connect local communities and provide non-vehicular access to Henderson CBD, Glen Eden town centre and local schools.

Construction on the walk/cycleways alongside the Oratia stream, Lower Opanuku and Lower and Upper Waikumete are complete. 

The final 1.85 km Upper Opanuku section is under construction and due for completion in April 2010.

The Project Twin Streams walk/cycleways won a Golden Foot award; New Zealand’s Best Practice Walking Facility, in July 2009.

Project Twin Streams is a council-community partnership where local community organisations work with residents and groups to restore their local stream and become more sustainable.

Waitakere City Council receives funding from the Auckland Regional Council to carry out Project Twin Streams.  

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