Boost for Otago cycleway proposals

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Queenstown Lakes District Council community services general manager Paul Wilson (left), Wakatipu Trails Trust chief executive Kaye Parker and trust patron Sir Eion Edgar said they were "on cloud nine" about the announcement yesterday the proposed 109km Wakatipu Trail was one of the 13 potential trails around New Zealand to undergo feasibility studies. Photo by James Beech.

The Ministry of Tourism yesterday named four Otago trails among 13 selected nationally for feasibility studies in phase two of the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

They include the Wakatipu Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, the Clutha Gold Trail, and the Alps to the Ocean Cycle Trail.

They were selected by legal, engineering, business and cycling industry specialists from 54 national applications lodged in December.

The other successful trails were in Tauranga, Opotiki-Gisborne, Rotorua, Taupo, Ruapehu, Hawkes Bay, Nelson-Tasman, Westport and Greymouth.

If all 13 extra cycleways are approved, a national network of 2000km of trails could be created, including the "Quick Start" trails, announced by Prime Minister John Key last July.

The ministry's technical assessment group found the 13 concepts were the "stand-out winners" when all applications were assessed on factors including economic benefits and the "wow factor".

Wakatipu Trails Trust chief executive Kaye Parker yesterday said the finished Wakatipu Trail - 109km long and incorporating existing and potential routes between Queenstown, Arrowtown and Gibbston - could generate an extra $22 million, based on cyclists staying for an average of four nights en route.

The trust believed it could take 10% of the national market.

The easy-graded Wakatipu trail would cost $3.6 million.

The Government would contribute $1.8 million and the Wakatipu community, with the trails trust as facilitator and advocate, would find the other $1.8 million.

"We've already spoken to several community trusts and the [Queenstown Lakes District] council has allocated $300,000 over the next three years to the development of the trails," Mrs Parker said.

"The trust must find $600,000 over the next three years and we've already planned a fundraising run, walk or bike ride from Jacks Point to Jardine Park, on March 25."

Trust patron Sir Eion Edgar said the economic boost the cycleway would bring to the district would be "very considerable and sustainable".

The figure to raise was a good challenge, but he was confident it could be achieved, he said.

Destination Queenstown considered the proposed trail a "significant regional asset" and a great opportunity to further promote the area to domestic, Australian and long-haul audiences.

New chief executive Tony Everitt said cycleways were a growing market which catered to all abilities and ages.

"It's also anticipated that the trail could attract higher yielding and longer staying visitors; those who come to cycle the trail and then stay on in the region for a few days after, or before, and encourage repeat visitation."

Proponents of the two proposed new Central Otago trails hailed the selection and accompanying feasibility funding as "tremendous news", and said the fact the trails could link into the Otago Central Rail Trail had obviously influenced the decision-makers.

The link incorporating the Clutha Gold Trail, between Roxburgh and Lawrence, and the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, between Alexandra and Roxburgh, will result in a dedicated cycling and walking track from Middlemarch to Lawrence.

If the figures in the feasibility study stack up, $3.8 million has been granted for construction of the Clutha Gold trail and $2 million for the Roxburgh Gorge one.

Central Otago District Council district development manager Anne Pullar said the new trails would be a boost for the district.

"There's been so much energy put into the planning of these trails by community-minded people who had a really strong vision of how this could succeed.

"This is an endorsement of their work, and particularly good news for the Teviot Valley" Ms Pullar said.

"Central Otago is known as the place for cycling and mountain biking and we're delighted to see some money coming to the district to further develop this."

Clutha Gold Trail Trust chairman Rod Peirce admitted to being "a bit emotional" after hearing the news.

"It's hard to believe it's all coming to fruition after all the work that's gone in."

The trust would re-look at its feasibility study and ensure the document met the requirements of cycle project authorities.

In North Otago, the Alps to Ocean trail - from Mt Cook to the Waitaki River mouth - has received feasibility funding, which committee chairman Mike Neilson described as "fantastic news".

The cycleway was an opportunity for the Waitaki and Mackenzie districts to share in being part of a nationally significant attraction.

Existing tracks could be linked with tracks close to the Waitaki lakes shorelines.

The seven "Quick Start" cycleways of Phase One included the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail.

The 175km track would run from Walter Peak Station, and head through Walter Peak and Mt Nicholas Stations along the Von Valley.

It would follow the Oreti River from Mossburn along the old railway line to Lumsden, then up to Athol and Garston to Kingston, with the potential for further links to Te Anau, Bluff and Clyde.

Feasibility studies for Phase Two were expected to be completed by May 31 for review by the group of specialists, which will make recommendations to the funding committee.

Applicants will then be asked to submit a final business case.

The cycleways to be built will be announced in October.

Additional reporting - Lynda van Kempen and David Bruce