Trail most at risk in Kawarau Gorge

A cycle trail through the Kawarau Gorge has the highest risk of failure among Queenstown Lakes trails forming part of a proposed 536km Central Otago cycling network.

A report for councillors at yesterday's Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting singled out the Kawarau Gorge Trail for the "risk in its ability to be developed ... and potential risk of failure and/or high maintenance costs''.

The trail would run for 14.5km from the end of the Gibbston River Trail to Roaring Meg.

The other linking trail in the district would be an upgrade of existing tracks running for up to 35km from Wanaka to Luggate.

Announcing the Central Otago network project in May, Prime Minister John Key said it would create a "mecca'' for cycle tourism.

The Government, along with the Central Lakes Trust and the Otago Community Trust, will contribute $26.3million to building or upgrading the linking trails, but have asked the two district councils to decide how much they are willing to spend on maintaining the trails once they are completed.

A feasibility study into the Kawarau Gorge Trail has found it would require four new bridges - three of them crossing the Kawarau River - a cantilevered platform around the Nevis Bluff with protective fencing for rock falls, and a clip-on crossing structure on Victoria Bridge.

Councillors adopted the recommendation of parks and reserves planning manager Stephen Quin to maintain the new trail sections for three years, at $1000 a kilometre, from the time each section opened.

The approval comes with conditions, which include: the spending being for routine vegetation and surface maintenance only; the chief executive's approval of all detailed engineering designs; and New Zealand Transport Agency approval for all works proposed in proximity to the highway.

Mr Quin said maintenance costs were estimated at $18,000 a year during the three years, while additional money would be required for branding and marketing of the cycle trail.

The steering group overseeing the trails' development expected the Government "could eventually'' take over responsibility for the maintenance of the two trails.

In a separate decision, councillors agreed to take on the management of 13 new and existing walking and cycling tracks on Coronet Peak and Glencoe Stations.

The stations' owner, Soho Property Ltd, will form or upgrade the tracks at no cost to ratepayers and maintain them for the first three years.

The council will then take over their maintenance, but its financial contribution will be limited to $10,000 a year.

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