Rotary Club plan for track on Sugar Loaf approved

A walking track on the Sugar Loaf will be "virtually invisible" when completed, the Cromwell Community Board heard this week.

The Cromwell Rotary Club was granted permission to develop the track up the Sugar Loaf at the 45th parallel, provided it took responsibility for all maintenance.

The area is Central Otago District Council-owned land, designated in the district plan as an outstanding landscape.

"The Sugar Loaf is an outstanding landscape and everyone views it from the bottom. Now people will be able to go up and take in the spectacular view from the top," Rotary member Charlie Hughes, of Cromwell, said.

There would be minimal disturbance to the land in developing the track, he said.

Rotary president Helen Wreford-Dunbar said the idea had been mooted some time ago but now the Cromwell-Pisa Moorings track was formalised and upgraded, it was appropriate to present the proposal again.

The development would take the form of stone steps located in the dry water channel already on the scarp, she said.

"This will be virtually invisible when completed."

"Although a climb, the proposed track would make an attractive side trip to a spectacular viewpoint for tourists and passers-by."

Rotary club member Peter Jackson said there was a considerable amount of interest in the track.

"It will be another aspect of the Cromwell experience," he said.

Council community development manager Mathew Begg said although the area was defined as an outstanding landscape, a track could be developed providing less than 20cu m of material was excavated and no more than 50sq m of area was disturbed.

"We appreciate the efforts of Rotary to take this and see this track through. I look forward to seeing people up there," board chairman Neil Gillespie said.

Board member Helen Hucklebridge asked if all Rotary members supported the proposal, and was told they did.

"This is not just a 'now' project, but into the future as well," she said.

- lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz