Arrowtown residents are upset they were not properly consulted on changes to one of the town's best-known walkways, the Arrow River Anniversary track.
The Arrowtown Village Association this week expressed concern over the track's new look due to adjustments for the Queenstown Trail, which will link the track with White Chapel Rd through to Gibbston valley.
Committee member Graeme Haste said the track's "integrity" had changed and walkers, dogs and runners were now having to compete for space with cyclists.
"Arrowtown residents won't be awake to the fact the nature of their track is going through change."
Mr Haste said although the committee supported the cycleway initiative, it could have taken an alternative route to the popular walkway.
He said the track was used by people who did not have the ability or the time to walk on other tracks in the area and he was concerned these people would no longer use the track because they would be intimidated by the presence of cyclists.
Queenstown Trails Trust chairwoman Kaye Parker said she appreciated the concerns of both walkers and cyclists, but said users would be educated on how to "share" the track.
"The track has always been for walkers and cyclists; it has always been a double-use trail."
Mrs Parker said signs would be placed on the track indicating give-way rules and behaviour.
She said last year when changes were made to the Kelvin Height Peninsula track there were concerns expressed, but she had since had positive feedback from people using the track who had not previously.
The Anniversary Track was the best option to join the trail because the Queenstown Trail would not have received government funding if a certain percentage of it was "on-road", she said.
The Queenstown Trail has received $1.83 million in funding from the Government as part of Prime Minister John Key's New Zealand Cycleways initiative.
AVA chairwoman Ange van der Laan said Arrowtown residents had not been properly notified or surveyed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council before changes were made.
"It is a fantastic community resource right now and the nature is going to change through no consultation.''
Ms van der Laan said the council had not asked the community and it was only when the AVA approached it, that project manager Paul Wilson spoke to members about the changes.
The committee also has concerns about the gravel being used for the new part of the track heading towards White Chapel Rd as it is more course and rough.
Mrs Parker said the original track would not be flattened or widened and the gravel on the additional part was yet to be flattened and finished.
Mr Wilson was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
