Efforts to establish a cycling, horse-riding and walking trail linking Palmerston, Dunback, Macraes and Middlemarch are continuing, despite the fact the proposal to build a trail between Palmerston and Middlemarch missed out on the first round of government funding for cycling and walking trails.
People who wanted the cycle trail established inland from Palmerston should "hold the dream", Waitaki District Council Parks officer Jane Matchett said.
The possibility was raised by the Palmerston Gateway to Gold promotion group two years ago. A trail link to Macraes could possibly fit in with the development of the land art park by Oceana Gold at Macraes, Mrs Matchett said. Macraes mine operator Oceana Gold was aware there had been some discussion on the trail, Oceana Gold business development manager Darren Klinck, of Melbourne, said.
Many of the landowners along the 15km former railway formation between Palmerston and Dunback supported the idea of a rail trail when the possibility was first discussed two years ago, Mrs Matchett said. A small number of landowners did not support the proposed trail but it would be possible to avoid their properties.
A riding and walking trail from Palmerston to Dunback could interest cycling trail operators like Central Otago's Trail Journeys, Taieri Gorge railway chief operating officer Murray Bond said.
Up to 80 bikes could be carried in the guards vans on Seasider trains between Dunedin and Palmerston. The bikes could be ridden on the proposed trail between Palmerston and Dunback before the riders continued on to Middlemarch to ride the Otago Central Rail Trail.
