The $7 million Around the Mountains Cycle Trail is closer to gaining approval from the Queenstown Lake District Council as its resource consent application has been notified and is now open for submissions.
The proposed 184km cycle track will run in a circle from Walter Peak station to Kingston, where cyclists will be able to link up with the Kingston Flyer tourist train, which is to begin operating again.
The track, which is part of Prime Minister John Key's $50 million cycleway initiative, will begin at Walter Peak, run past the Mavora Lakes and, upon reaching Lumsden, will follow State Highway 6 to Kingston.
The cost of the 120km leg of the track running from Walter Peak to Lumsden would be at least $4 million.
Last month when the Flyer was bought, Mike Barnett, Southland District Council's project manager for the trail, said he would be interested in talking to new owner David Bryce. Mr Barnett said involving the Flyer would make perfect sense.
"It just fits really well to have steam at both ends, with the Earnslaw [on Lake Wakatipu] and now the Flyer.
"We're very keen for the Flyer to be going because by the time you get to Fairlight, I think you'll be ready to put your bum on a leather seat," he said.
Mr Barnett told the Otago Daily Times he expected construction on the Around the Mountains track to begin in the new year.
Construction would include building nine toilets, three shelters, a car park and 41 bridges.
Cyclists can take a night's rest at Mavora Lakes, Mossburn, Lumsden, Five Rivers, Athol, or Garston before finally reaching the other end of the trail at Kingston.
Mr Barnett predicted the trail would be open for commercial use by November 2012 and once complete, would take four or five days to ride.
The track had been planned for five years and would be built as a moderate-level exercise and recreation track.
He said cyclists would have the option of continuing to the Queenstown trail from the Walter Peak end by taking the boat.
"It's going to be a magic ride, this one."
The track would target the same customers who had enjoyed the 150km Otago Central Rail Trail.
The consent application has been lodged with Southland District Council, Environment Southland, Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Department of Conservation, and the hearing will be held before an independent commissioner.
Mr Barnett said he expected a strong submission from Fish and Game, as it had expressed concern over the trail running alongside the Oreti River. Submissions close on September 23.
