The Clutha River below Roxburgh, looking downstream. The
proposed Clutha Gold trail would run down the left bank of
the river at this point. Photo from ODT files.
An alternative route has been proposed for the Beaumont
to Lawrence section of the Clutha Gold cycle trail and trust
chairman Rod Peirce is confident it will proceed.
That section of the 73km trail from Roxburgh East to Lawrence
is subject to engineering studies and the approval of the New
Zealand Transport Agency, but Mr Peirce said initial
discussions with the agency were "positive."
The alternative route involves the use of some highway road
verge, combined with access through some private property.
NZTA coastal Otago manager Roger Bailey agreed the talks were
"promising" and said safety was the paramount concern.
Engineering studies had to be carried out to see if the trail
would fit safely.
Mr Peirce confirmed that changes to the route were made to
work around a landowner who had declined to give permission
for his land to be used.
"But we've always been working on achieving our aim, to get
from Roxburgh through to Lawrence. That's the main priority
and we're still confident of meeting our target. This
variation won't make a huge difference to the trail, and
we're pretty happy with the route," Mr Peirce said.
"The key factors of the route are still there - the farmland
from Roxburgh to Beaumont and the Clutha River section."
The trail was the first in Central Otago to receive
government funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project,
with a grant of $2.5 million for the 50km Roxburgh East to
Beaumont section. The feasibility study for the 33km Beaumont
to Lawrence section is being updated to reapply for
government funding for that section.
There are 150 landowners along the entire length of the
planned route.
Mr Peirce was unsure whether the route change would alter the
estimated $3.8 million cost of the project.
"We're making savings in one part and spending in other parts
has increased, so we'll need to work those figures out."
The second part of the trail had certainly not "stalled", he
said.
The Roxburgh East to Beaumont route has been finalised and
the trust has applied for resource consent for works and
structures on that portion, which is all within the Central
Otago district.
A hearing will be held before independent commissioner Denis
Nugent, of Wanaka, probably in early February.
The application has attracted 17 submissions, nine opposing,
five in support and three neutral, the Central Otago District
Council's planning team leader Ann Rodgers said.
- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz
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