Dog sled tours might be set up on the outskirts of Alexandra, if the public agrees and resource consents are granted.
Under Dog NZ Ltd has asked the Central Otago District Council for permission to operate the tours on council-owned land, on the west side of State Highway 8, in an area known as the Pines.
The land contains mature pine trees and was gazetted as a tree-planting reserve in 1929 by the Crown to minimise the impact of wind-blown dust and sand on the town.
The Vincent Community Board will consider the request by Fleur and Curt Perano, operating as Under Dog NZ Ltd, at its meeting on Tuesday.
Council property and facilities officer Christina Martin said the area was a popular recreation spot used by walkers, cyclists and people walking dogs.
The Peranos had more than 17 years' experience working with sled dogs and operated in winter at the Snow Farm in the Cardrona Valley.
They had more than 1000 clients over a three-month period in winter this year and turned away customers as they were operating at maximum capacity, she said.
They wanted to develop a dry-land touring operation in the Pines, giving clients the chance to drive dog teams under the supervision of guides.
They planned to operate two tours daily and have no more than five guided dog teams on the trails at any time.
The biggest concern would be the potential impact on the people who used the Pines, Ms Martin said.
The Peranos pointed out the activities were closely managed and the emphasis was on minimal impact to the surroundings and to other people, dogs or property.
The operation would need to gain the appropriate resource consents.
She recommended the board approve the request, subject to gaining resource consents and subject to a favourable response during public consultation.
