Creation of bike track angers walkers

Several recreational walkers and trampers have expressed shock and outrage after discovering a new mountain bike track has been created, linking the Nicols Creek mountain bike track to the Pineapple Track, which is for walkers only.

But the Dunedin City Council says it gave an exemption for a mountain biking club to build the track and its work "enhances" the area.

Jane Bruce, Chris Handley and Kathy Warburton recently found the tramping shortcut track from the Pineapple Track to the Nicols Creek tracks had been "stealthily" developed into a mountain biking track.

Ms Bruce said three sections (about 400m in total) of entirely new track had been formed using weed-eaters and chainsaws.

She said the new track would give mountain bikers access to the Pineapple Track, which is for walkers only.

In the last section of new bike track, a historic dry-stone wall beside the ruins of a farm homestead was being used as a jump.

Mr Handley said he did not know whether to "scream in outrage or weep in despair" when he saw the new track.

"I had heard that Mountain Biking Otago had been granted permission to do some track maintenance, but had presumed that it was on the existing tracks on the other side of Nicols Creek.

"However, as we pressed on, we found that it was on the Pineapple Track side of the valley and that the maintenance involved chainsawing through sizable trees (some more than 20cm in diameter) and creating several hundred metres of new track to bypass places where it would be difficult for mountain bikes to go.

"We, the walking community, have already lost unfettered access to the north side of Nicols Creek. Now the mountain bike community are starting to encroach on the southern side."

Ms Bruce said she met a contractor on the track who had been hired by Mountain Biking Otago, and who allegedly told her the Dunedin City Council had given money to the organisation to upgrade the walking track.

"All work on these tracks should be stopped immediately. We need a full investigation to establish how these new bike tracks could be developed without open public consultation."

She believed DCC staff had delegated authority to organise track maintenance, but their authority did not extend to approving such significant track developments (from tramping to biking tracks), or formation of three entirely new bike tracks.

"It initially appears that DCC staff may have seriously misused their delegated authority and failed to undertake public consultation where it was clearly required.

"This is extremely worrying. Our governance system relies on the professional integrity of DCC staff."

Everything that had happened might be found to be "perfectly acceptable" according to DCC policy, but it was important to have the issues raised and discussed openly, Ms Bruce said.

"It will be very important to have proper policies and processes put in place to ensure that Dunedin’s wider recreational users are consulted before any future track developments are planned."

Mrs Warburton said she was also appalled at the sight.

The track’s creators might be under the impression they had done everyone a service by their actions, but trampers wanted to retain "some wild places" near Dunedin, and did not want to walk on manicured tracks.‘‘Some of us still like to have an adventure when we go out for a day’s tramp.

"It is sad that this group do not appear to hold any conservation values, and are prepared to put their own selfish needs first."

Council parks and recreation acting group manager Tom Dyer said Mountain Biking Otago was holding its Three Peaks Enduro Race at Ross Creek, Wakari Creek, the Pineapple Track and Pepper Tree Track this weekend.

Of the tracks, walkers had exclusive use of Pineapple Track and Ross Creek.

However, with council permission, tracks could be used for other purposes for specific events. Permission had been given for a 1km uphill section of the Pineapple Track and upper Ross Creek to be used by riders for the event.

The council gave Mountain Biking Otago a $20,000 grant  this financial year to assist with maintenance of the track network, which Mountain Biking Otago helped build and had cost about $1.5million.

"The club is a reliable custodian of the assets they create and it’s the view of council staff that the maintenance of these tracks is intended to enhance the recreational experience for walkers, runners and mountain bikers alike," Mr Dyer said.

Some track had been developed for the event but no large trees were removed and the club had ensured it did not damage the tracks.

Several muddy sections had been cleaned up and culverts  installed.

"This will enhance the track for future use," Mr Dyer said.

The Peppertree Track and Nicols Loop tracks mostly followed old farm tracks for vehicles.

"Among the maintenance work, 40m of track has been developed but can easily be closed if people don’t use it."

Mountain Biking Otago had worked with Historic Places Trust Otago-Southland regional archaeologist Matt Schmidt to ensure the farm house ruin and the archaeological integrity of the old stone wall was maintained, Mr Dyer said.

"The wall is well protected so people riding over it wouldn’t cause damage, but Dr Schmidt has indicated that riding through the old house platform might bring up some of the surface, and laying plywood had been recommended."

People could submit on the council’s parks and recreation strategy and action plans, which included current and possible future tracks, he said.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz