A public meeting in Te Anau has supported a plan to draw more visitors to the area by enhancing experiences for cyclists.
But one of the organisers said there was disappointment the suggested ''backbone'' of the enhancements - a cycleway between Te Anau and Manapouri within the Fiordland National Park - would not be able to be progressed until at least 2017.
Last year, the Department of Conservation (Doc) said it was considering opening up parts of the park to mountain bikers and invited submissions as part of its draft Southland Murihiku Conservation Management Strategy.
But Doc said last month a partial review of the specific management plan for the Fiordland National Park would not happen before 2017 and no cycling could be considered within the park until the review was completed.
The Te Anau Community Board and Destination Fiordland has identified the growing demand for road, off-road, trail and mountain biking as an economic development opportunity for Te Anau.
Venture Southland, the tourism and economic development agency for three Southland councils, commissioned Dunedin-based consultant Envisage New Zealand to complete the Te Anau and Environs Cycling Opportunities study. The $20,000 cost was met from the VS investigation and assessment fund.
Venture Southland community development planner for the Te Anau-Tuatapere area Diana Zadravec said the study confirmed there was potential to develop cycling trails further, and potential for new trails.
The report was presented to locals at the recent public meeting. Ms Zadravec said it received a positive response, but attendees expressed their disappointment at Doc's decision.
''Critically, the national park, which is so important to the town's lifestyle, economy and attractiveness, is completely out of bounds and could be for six to 10 years.''
Doc Fiordland district conservation partnerships manager Jessie Haanen said Doc had indicated it would consider a partial review of the national park plan if there was a clear view from submitters they wanted Doc to allow cycling in the park.
However, she said a mixed view emerged, estimating there was probably a 50-50 split between those who supported cycling in the park and those who did not.
The review was the best place to reconsider the issue, she said.
''It is an area which needs to be discussed. Now we have three years to have a good debate about it.''
Suggested upgrades:
• Creation of a Te Anau-Manapouri cycleway, with possible loop tracks off each side.
• Improvements to town roads to better connect the urban riding experience.
• Major upgrade of cycle networks in Ivon Wilson Recreation Reserve.
• Development of tracks on true left of the Waiau River, into Moturau Hut (Kepler Track) and into Lake Alabaster huts (Hollyford Track).
• Connections from Mavora Lakes-Te Anau Basin and, longer term, Te Anau-Te Anau Downs
