Submissions for the proposed $11 million Around the Mountains cycle trail are being heard this week in Invercargill after the proposal attracted more than 100 opposing submissions last year.
Witnesses for the applicant, the Southland District Council, were heard yesterday at the Invercargill Working Men's Club. The hearing will continue until tomorrow in front of commissioner Denis Nugent.
Landscape consultant Philip Blakely and ecologist Simon Beale were heard yesterday.
Today, freshwater ecologist David Cameron of Wellington will round off council witnesses.
He could not attend the meeting yesterday due to Invercargill Airport being closed.
Project manager Mike Barnett also gave evidence, but due to legal obligations he could not say what was in the submission until cleared by council lawyers.
The 184km cycle track is part of Prime Minister John Key's $50 million cycleway initiative and will begin at Walter Peak, run past the Mavora Lakes to Lumsden and follow State Highway 6 to Kingston.
In September, Mr Barnett predicted the trail would be open for commercial use by November.
However, it is likely to take two years to finish from the start of its construction, which has been postponed due to this hearing.
The New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers, the Upper Clutha Angling Club, Otago Fish and Game, and Fish and Game New Zealand were among those who did not agree with the proposal because it would disturb recreation, particularly angling.
The proposal had attracted 205 submissions in total, 109 in opposition, 65 in support, 26 supporting in principle and five neutral (including Environment Southland).
Most opponents were concerned with the effect the trail would have on fishing, particularly at the Oreti River and conservation near the Eyre Mountains reserve.
