A cycleway along the railway line corridor linking Oamaru and the Pukeuri freezing works has been suggested by the Rural Otago Primary Health Organisation.
"Developing this cycleway would provide an active transport option for staff at the major industrial area at Pukeuri," it told the Waitaki District Council yesterday during a hearing of submissions on its 2010-11 draft annual plan.
It was important to provide alternatives to driving a car as viable transport options were lacking to and from what was North Otago's largest employer.
Ultimately, the cycleway could be linked to other future cycleways in the district, including the proposed Alps to Ocean.
• Two country museums want financial support from the council.
The Waihemo Museum, run by the Waihemo Heritage Trust, and Kurow Museum both made submissions seeking funding.
Waihemo trust acting chairman Alan Matchett said it had asked for financial grants on three occasions from the council, but had not succeeded. He asked for a one-off grant to buy a building for the museum, or for the council to provide a building, along with an annual grant.
Kurow Museum's Bob Watherston said it deserved more recognition from the council.
"The current figure of $85.67 per property is collected [by a museum, library and gallery rate] from our region and we ask that we receive some of the monies to continue to grow our museum."
• The North Otago Tramping Club wants Graves Track, around Cape Wanbrow, reopened and extended.
Parts of the track, particularly the start at the Oamaru Harbour, were closed because erosion had made it dangerous.
Club secretary John Chetwin said the track should be open, with a sign reading "Tramp at Your Own Risk".
It should be extended to link with Bushy beach and, from there, a new track opened to connect with the beach at the North Otago golf course, he said.
• The Hampden Hall committee wants to increase its hall rate charged against properties within its district.
Committee chairman Howard Selwood said the present rate of $8.75 a year had been at the expense of "accumulated maintenance", which was now being undertaken.
An increase to $20 was wanted to help pay for the work, which was already under way.
