A proposal to upgrade Queenstown’s Hotops Rise pathway into a dedicated cycle path, felling 42 trees in the process, has been defeated.
At a Queenstown Lakes District Council meeting yesterday, the proposal’s opponents argued successfully for an alternative route to be explored that could literally lead the council up the garden path.
The Hotops Rise route was designed to provide a better connection between Camp St, in the town centre, to the Frankton commuter trail via Park St.
However, they have proposed an alternative route that would run along an existing path beside Horne Creek, and then up a newly upgraded path through the Queenstown Gardens from the lakeside playground to the rotunda.
Concerns about the loss of the trees — including four native beech trees — and the steepness of the path, have been raised in community and interest group consultation since June.
Speaking at the meeting’s public forum, Friends of the Gardens chairman Jay Cassells read a letter to councillors from resort lawyer Graeme Todd that stated the Reserves Act and the gardens management plan had "primacy" over council documents used to support the proposal.
The proposal should be delayed until a better solution was found, Mr Cassells said.
Former council planning manager Brian Fitzpatrick said that position was supported by the council’s own legal advice, which said vegetation on recreation reserves should not be removed unless it was necessary for a reserve’s management or maintenance.
Council staff had also ignored a consultant arborist’s recommendation that an impact assessment of the trees’ removal be carried out, Mr Fitzpatrick said.
Former councillor Cath Gilmour said the failure to accommodate cyclists in a recent upgrade of the path from the lakeside playground to the rotunda was a "major missed opportunity".
However, with minor changes it would be suitable as a cycling path "with no need for any building of paths or knocking down of 42 trees or spending of significant money".
In their report for councillors, staff said the alternative route was unsuitable because of the potential for conflict between cyclists and recreational users of the gardens.
They recommended the Hotops Rise upgrade proceed because it was designed and ready to start, and government funding for part of its cost was confirmed.
No councillors spoke unequivocally in favour of the proposal, and Cr Penny Clark said the idea of removing 42 trees "gives me a horror attack".
She favoured doing nothing, as the existing pathways were adequate for pedestrians and cyclists for years to come.
Asked by Mayor Jim Boult about the implications of putting the matter on hold, council property and infrastructure general manager Peter Hansby said it would be "problematic" as contractors might not be able to complete the project if the decision was delayed.
Cr Niki Gladding proposed an alternative motion that the council not proceed with the Hotops Rise option and staff be instructed to carry out a detailed feasibility study of the alternative route.
That motion was carried seven votes to four.
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Shared bike paths don't have to be bike race tracks. If it is considered to be too dangerous to share the path then put a speed limit on bikes, scooter and what have you. And enforce the limit.
Mind you I can just see the same council employees managing the Dunedin Botanic Garden. You could have a ski lift from the garden cafe up the hill and then a myriad of bike tracks down the hill. Get rid of all these peaceful nooks - who needs quiet walk paths. Gee, they could even convert the greenhouse into a bike franchise store. Much better use of all that wasted green space.