An Environment Court challenge that could have stopped the realignment of Lovelock Ave, in Dunedin's Botanic Garden, has been dropped.
Lovelock Environment Society secretary Dr Antony Wood said last night in a press release the society did not have the money to carry on with the appeal, which it lodged in July.
"It's very disappointing. We had a good case to put before the Environment Court, but we ran out of money."
The appeal follows a Dunedin City Council resource consent committee decision earlier this year to grant consent for the realignment, part of the $5 million Dunedin Botanic Garden strategic development plan, launched in late 2006.
The plan would link 28ha of land above Lovelock Ave with the rest of the garden, relocating propagation and administration facilities, and allowing a new entrance to be built.
Almost $1.4 million has been either spent or set aside in the council's budget for planning, consultants and roading.
A further $5.5 million is included in the budget between next year and 2013 for the rest of the development.
At hearings last year, residents argued the area of a proposed new road would be both too steep and badly affected by frost and ice, would exacerbate a problem with boy racers, and result in the loss of wetlands and flax.
Dr Wood yesterday said people were so concerned about the proposed change to Lovelock Ave they had donated thousands of dollars to the society.
"But when you're up against an organisation as big and well-funded as the Dunedin City Council, thousands are not enough. You need tons of money.
"I hope that councillors will have another look at the proposal.
"It involves spending a million dollars to dig up a perfectly good road and build another road nearby."
He said the road would be too steep for many cyclists.
"If councillors would like to get on their bikes and come and have a look around Lovelock Avenue, we would gladly help them push their bikes up the route of the proposed new road."
Dr Wood could not be contacted last night.
