A new toilet will have a view of Lansdowne bike park. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
A grant of nearly $238,750 from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund will enable the construction of toilets and a wetland viewing platform on the Lansdowne Trail, near a new mountain bike park currently under construction.
Masterton District Council applied for the funding to mark the first Matariki public holiday, last month.
Criteria for the grants included infrastructure to support the delivery and management of Matariki events.
The Lansdowne wetland viewing platform would offer a sheltered space for stargazing and act as a hide-out for viewing birds.
The council would provide 30 per cent of the funding [about $100,000] for the project, which would come from the Reserves Contributions [made up of contributions from developers as part of subdivision development].
Detailed design work would begin immediately, with construction work likely to begin in 2023.
The designs would incorporate dry-chamber toilets in keeping with the environment.
This type of toilet was designed for wilderness areas and was used throughout New Zealand.
Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson was delighted with the news of the grant.
“Development of this part of the Lansdowne Trail is making it increasingly attractive for a broad range of communities, and these new facilities will add to its appeal.”
