Almost 'A Clyde To Lawrence Trail'

Almost 'a Clyde to Lawrence trail'
Otago Daily Times
By Sarah Marquet, on Friday 24 January 2014

The Millenium track, between Clyde and Alexandra, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail are being seen by many cyclists as a package deal, Clutha trail trust chairman Rod Peirce says.

''There seems to be a lot of people doing both trails and ... there seems to be an association with the Clyde river trail [Millenium Track], the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails - it's almost like a Clyde to Lawrence trail.''

The Roxburgh Gorge trail, between Alexandra and the Roxburgh dam, and the Clutha Gold trail, between the dam and Lawrence, were officially opened on October 24 last year and were experiencing ''heavy usage'', Mr Peirce said.

The number of cyclists around Roxburgh and Millers Flat especially was ''phenomenal'' and anecdotal evidence suggested they were enjoying the trails.

Not everyone was opting for the boat trip across the middle section of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail - many were choosing to do the trails in segments, he said.

The 12km boat trip crosses the middle section where the trail has not yet been constructed because of various issues with three properties.

That could be about to change for one property though, Roxburgh Gorge Trail trust member Barrie Wills said.

The tenure review process of Obelisk Station was almost complete.

''Chances are that maybe we can get on with continuing the track later this year, but we'll have to look into fundraising.'Dr Wills said he had been on the gorge trail about once a week, tidying things up where needed.

That was usually midweek and he would see ''in excess of 30 to 40 people using it, so there would be a lot more in the weekends.

''I see people walking their kids in prams, a lot of bikers and a lot of walkers too.

''I've stopped and talked to a lot of people and they're just blown away.''

With no counters on the trails, exact numbers of users were unknown but the trusts were considering options to record usage, both men said.

They are looking to install cameras to not only capture how many people are using the trails but also age groups and other information about usage.

When asked how many $25 maintenance contribution tags had been sold, Central Otago District Council visitor centres manager Pam Broadhead said she was no longer able to supply that information as it was commercially sensitive, but the trusts would release that information after a meeting later this month.

Mr Peirce estimated between 500 and 600 had been sold and he would have a clearer idea after a meeting on Monday afternoon.

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Beaumont's Rising Fortunes

Beaumont's Rising Fortunes 
By John Gibb, on Saturday 11 January 2014
Otago Daily Times 

Moves are afoot to make the small Otago township of Beaumont the thriving community it once was. John Gibb finds out about Beaumont's changing fortunes.
 
Once a fading rural backwater, the township of Beaumont now seems destined for a much brighter future.

People who have lived near the inland Otago township, on the Clutha River/Mata-au, for 20 years or more will remember earlier sometimes divisive and frustrating conflicts over proposed big hydro-electric dams, which would have flooded the area.

One proposal, by the Electricity Corporation of New Zealand (ECNZ) in 1992, was to build a dam at Tuapeka Mouth that would have flooded 3000ha, including all of Beaumont. But among a series of more promising developments the long-delayed replacement work involving the nearby 19th century Beaumont Bridge is at last due to start next year.

This is one of the oldest bridges in the country still operating on a major state highway.

And more walkers and cyclists are already starting to move through the township since the 73km-long Clutha Gold Trail- which runs between Roxburgh and Lawrence, and includes Beaumont- was opened by Prime Minister John Key on October 24. Long-time resident, historian and writer Bill Dacker (61) is well aware of the area's previously somewhat mixed fortunes.

''It was a little backwater that we enjoyed as a backwater,'' he recalls.

But then a series of dam proposals came along and changed everything, he said.

Some locals, including some facing tough economic times, had agreed to sell their land.

Others, including the ''Hands Off Beaumont'' lobbyists, were determined to resist and to safeguard all they found precious in the area, including its rich history and its attractive and distinctive environment.
Mr Dacker highlights the significance of the bridge replacement work.

The current bridge had been around since 1887 and had struggled to cope with some of the ''huge trucks'' now passing through.

Mr Dacker, who is a long-standing member of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust Board, says the newly opened trail and other developments mean brighter times are coming for Beaumont, which will boost the local economy by bringing in more visitors and potential new residents. Strengthening Beaumont was also important strategically, because it gave the area a better chance of influencing its own destiny in future, he said.
''Unless we're going to make the place strong in a different way, other people are [still] going to see it as a backwater,'' he says.

Dave Crawford is an experienced jet boater and co-owner-operator of Beaumont Jet, with his wife Ali, And he is also a Gold Trail board member.

It was ''great'' to see the cyclists already starting to flow along the track, through Beaumont.
''It can only be good for this area,'' he says.

When he and his wife moved to Beaumont and began jet boat operations in 2004, he had long known the area had strong potential.

The nearby Clutha River/Mata-au is ''probably the best part of the Clutha River'', he adds.

These stretches of the river were also as good as ''anything in New Zealand'' and offered plenty of variety, including ''huge rapids'' and other ecologically appealing areas.

And he is not content with Beaumont being one of the region's and New Zealand's best-kept secrets.
''The more people the better.''

Mr Dacker, who these days divides his time between Beaumont and Port Chalmers, has lived in Beaumont for much of his life, having grown up there.

His father, Harry Dacker, had initially found work there as a rabbiter in the 1920s.

Bill Dacker said the idea of building a''cycle-cum-walking trail through the district, along the river and through the farmland to Lawrence, was a direct response - a way of creating economic opportunity by bringing people into this area as well as the other areas connected by the trail''.

The idea had come from the trust's Roxburgh-based chairman, Rod Peirce, who was a ''retired orchardist from Millers Flat with long-standing connections in Beaumont as well as to the other communities along the trail.''

The lessees of the Beaumont Hotel had also contributed to the upturn in Beaumont's fortunes by continuing to develop and support ''events tailored to hunters and fishermen while adding cyclists to those they wish to give hospitality to''.

And the pub also served ''the best blue cod meals this side of Iceland'', Mr Dacker said.

Widespread support from the Beaumont community for the trust, as well as backing from ''other communities connected by the trail'', had been key to the success of the trail development.

This sense of unity and support stood in ''stark contrast to divisions in the communities'' sparked by the ECNZ dam proposal in 1992, and was ''a wonderful thing to experience''.

Alison Mills, who leases the hotel with her husband, Gunni Egilsson, is also optimistic about the future, and says patrons with different interests and from range of backgrounds, including tourists, were using the hotel and nearby camping ground.

Mr Dacker noted there had been some ''recent controversy'' over suggestions of fees for using the trail.
He emphasised there was no official fee for using it, ''but the trust asks for a koha [donation], a contribution for its maintenance from its users as at the moment the trust is solely responsible for costs of its maintenance''.

Mr Peirce (76) said there were early signs that the new trail would prove positive, and help revive smaller communities such as Beaumont and Millers Flat.

''It's very satisfying. There's a general air of enthusiasm.''

Mr Peirce, who was also once chairman of the Friends of Beaumont group, had opposed various proposals to establish big new dams nearby.

And he is positive about the new trail's benefits.

''I thought, if there's any legacy I can leave, it may well be more like the trail, which is more positive, rather than being an activist against everything.

''I'd like to be seen as someone who left something for the benefit of the community.''

People were already starting to come from far afield to ride or walk the new trail, and local families were also enjoying it.

''We've had a tremendous amount of support from Contact Energy.''

And $3.8 million from the Government's New Zealand Cycle Trail project funding had been used to support the trail's development. Through the years Mr Peirce has noticed rural decline, including loss of population and services, in some of the smaller communities.

''It's very positive. I think that the smaller villages will definitely gain a tremendous amount over the next several years and into the future from the trail.''

And Beaumont was already looking up. The school had closed some decades ago, but ''rural visitors'' were increasing and the pub was humming - ''it's quite a busy little pub'', Mr Peirce said.

The gold trail was also good for Millers Flat - ''it's the only town that the trail actually goes right through the middle of.''

And Mr Dacker highlights Beaumont's distinctive geographical position, and its historical significance.

Beaumont is the first crossing place of the Clutha River/Mata-au when travelling on SH8 from Milton to Central Otago, and its many attractions. And the area was ''one of the major entrance and exit points'' for the Clutha Gold Trail walkway.

The Clutha River/Mata-au is one of the outstanding natural features of the newly opened trail, which follows the river ''on its journey across the river flats below Roxburgh, through the Beaumont Gorge, before it turns toward Lawrence at Beaumont'', Mr Dacker says. The river crosses the Beaumont Flat and then passes through the Rongahere Gorge, the ''last major river flat and gorge respectively of the schist peneplain or block mountain system of the Central Otago highlands''.

Beaumont was a true border between very different geographical zones.

''On the Rongahere side the climate is wetter and cooler, more like that of coastal Otago than Central Otago. On the Beaumont Gorge side the climate is hotter and drier, marking the beginning of Central Otago proper.''

The Maori name for the district is Te Kohai and here the ancestors of Kai Tahu Whanui also crossed the river, but on mokihi (traditional rafts), on their journeys into the interior.

There was also once a moa-hunting era village at Beaumont.

The town of Beaumont grew around the river crossing, where a ferry operated, accompanied by a supporting structure of hotels and shops. The natural vegetation of the nearby gorges reflected the ''borderland'' characteristics.

The dominant tree on Upper Birch Island - also known locally as Native Island - in the Beaumont Gorge is mountain beech, indicating the drier and hotter conditions there. The far larger Birch Island, or Moanui, in the Rongahere Gorge below Beaumont, and the bush of the gorge itself, has a covering of a mixed podocarp forest that includes sphagnum moss, mountain and silver beech as well as totara and matai.

''Both the gorge and the island are home to rare and nearly extinct insect species, protected on the island from rat predation by the swift waters of the river,'' Mr Dacker says.

''Beaumont's fortunes have fluctuated over the years according to major changes in the economic, gold-mining and agricultural history of the province.''

First the search for gold, then the arrival of the railways and the rise of horticulture on the river flats of Central Otago followed by the development of exotic forest plantations in the Blue Mountains all contributed to its growth.

But, subsequently, the closure of the railway branch line, the decline in gold extraction, the rise of large land holdings, changes in the horticultural sector, and finally the closure of the Beaumont Forest headquarters had also contributed to the community shrinking.

Closures of the railway, shops, the race track, churches and the school had all followed ''but always a significant minority clung on'' and many people, including some who had left, showed ''a remarkable dedication to the area'', Mr Dacker said.

And he emphasises that, for the first time in 40 years, there were ''signs of growth at Beaumont again''.
Margaret Healy, who helped organise a series of ''Back to Beaumont'' days, held over the years, has always been optimistic about the township's future.

''The aim is to get people and their families to come back to their grassroots, reminisce and enjoy Beaumont,'' she said.

It was a great place to raise a family and she was keen for Beaumont to become a ''thriving community'' again.

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Beaumont
• Beaumont is a township on State Highway 87, at a crossing of the Clutha Mata-Au River, close to Central Otago, between Balclutha and Roxburgh, and is 6km southeast from Raes Junction.
• The township is one of the main entry and exit points on the 73km-long Clutha Gold Trail, between Lawrence and Roxburgh.
• The gold trail's development was backed by $3.8 million in New Zealand Cycle Trail project funding and was opened by Prime Minister John Key in October.
• The trail includes parts of an old Maori trail, sections of the former railway line route, and parts of a former road.
• An earlier proposal in 1992 by ECNZ was to build a dam at Tuapeka Mouth that would have flooded several thousand hectares, including all of Beaumont.

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Otago Prepares To Open New Cycleways

Otago prepares to open new cycleways
Saturday 12 October 2013
3 News

Central Otago's semi-arid dry lands and the green farmlands of the Clutha District in the South Island are being opened up to cyclists and walkers.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail and Clutha Gold Trail will be officially opened on October 24 by Finance Minister Bill English, the MP for Clutha-Southland, adding new cycling and walking options near the Otago Central Rail Trail, which already attracts an estimated 12,000 people a year.

The new trails have been developed by the Roxburgh Gorge Charitable Trust and Clutha Gold Charitable Trust over eight years.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail runs 33km from Alexandra to Lake Roxburgh Dam in three stages - a 10km stretch from Alexandra to Doctors Point, a boat transfer to Shingle Creek and a 12km track to Lake Roxburgh Dam.

Rod Peirce, chair of the Clutha Gold Charitable Trust, said the trails had been the collective vision of so many for so long that opening day would mark the transition from a long-held dream to a reality.

Cyclists on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail are expected to take between three and six hours, depending on fitness levels, boat transfer connection times, and time taken to view landmarks. Walkers are expected to take eight to 10 hours, including the boat transfer.

The trail runs down the western side of the Clutha River and most of the route is close to the river. The Clutha Gold Trail is a one-to-two day easy 73km ride from Lake Roxburgh Village to Lawrence.

The first stage from Commissioner Flat to Beaumont mainly runs beside the Clutha River before heading along a defunct railway corridor from Beaumont to Lawrence.

Users are asked to pay $25 per person or $50 for a family, yearly, for a maintenance contribution tag which covers both trails. The charge will not be policed, the Otago Daily Times reports.

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Part Of Structure, Trust Chairman Says

Part of Structure, Trust Chairman says
Friday 13 September 2013
Otago Daily Times

Cycle trails are becoming increasingly common around the country and Central Otago is no exception. Inland Otago Conservation Awards winner Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust's chairman Rod Peirce talks about constructing the 73km-long trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence.  

What is it about the project you are involved in that got you interested in conservation and drives your work?
''It was probably providing easy access to the river bank for the public, and the historical aspect of the Clutha River like the dredging remnants. I have lived on the river since the 1960s. We used to find old dredge buckets and observe the wrecks of the dredge so I have become, in my mid-70s, part of the structure of the river. It's been a lifetime of a developing interest that has come to a peak with this project.''

How does the project you're involved in benefit conservation?
''There's quite a lot of flora down there that we are still discovering as trustees. Things keep popping up all the time. For example, across the river, on the opposite side to the trail, we discovered 600-year-old native totara trees. The lower Clutha, from Roxburgh through to Beaumont was very rich with history - gold-mining history and Maori history. It's a learning curve for us, all the time history is being uncovered.''

What do you get out of your work in conservation?
''There's the enjoyment of dealing with a range of people - corporate people, archaeologists and contractors. But the core thing for me - I have always been a tramper, climber and skier - is that I have got older and found that cycling really fits the bill for older people. There has been a lot of physical work to be done in the construction of the trail and riding it to test it out, so healthwise it's great. It lengthens my life.''

What challenges have you faced and how have they been overcome?
''It's been a huge challenge for the whole trust really because we are a group of volunteers who have come together with an idea and are now making it a reality. Negotiating with landowners [to gain easements] was a challenge. In a lot of cases we ended up working through a process and resolved most issues. I think in many cases the landowners were a bit apprehensive. We were taken to the Environment Court but that was resolved too.''

In what direction do yousee your conservation work going in the future?
''One of the trust's key functions is to maintain the trail and maintain the quality. It is very important for us to have a continued sound relationship with our easement providers and trail neighbours and that's a commitment we gladly take. We are also prepared to support other groups with similar projects. What happens in the future, though, is hard to be exact about.''

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Cavalcaders First To Walk New Trail

Cavalcaders first to walk new trail section
By Helena de Reus, on Thursday 28 February 2013
Otago Daily Times

Walkers setting off on the first day of their Otago Goldfields Cavalcade trek from Lawrence yesterday morning discovered the occasion also marked the opening of a 5km section of the Clutha Gold Trail.

Construction of the 73km Clutha Gold Cycle Trail from the Roxburgh Dam to Lawrence, on the opposite side of the river to the Roxburgh Gorge trail, began at the start of last year.

Trail trust chairman Rod Peirce said the group was happy the section's opening coincided with the cavalcade.

The 5km section stretches from Lawrence to Cockleshell Rd at Evans Flat.

About 50 people are taking part in the cavalcade's ''Whisky Galore'' walking trail, which began in Lawrence yesterday, winding up to Beaumont, through Black Gully, to arrive in Tapanui on Saturday in time for the cavalcade's grand parade.

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said the number of walkers opening the trail was ''magnificent''.

The Clutha Gold Trail has a $5.5 million budget, including $3.8 million from the Government.

The Lawrence to Evans Flat leg of the trail is all on private land. Mr Peirce said farmers gave the trust easements for the trail.

The 13km section from the dam to Pinders Pond was complete except for a bridge over the Teviot River, which is expected to be put in place next week. The trust planned to open the trail in sections to allow public use before an official opening of the entire trail by spring.

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Cycle Trail Work Progresses Steadily

Cycle trail work progresses steadily
By Sarah Marquet, on Wednesday 5 December 2012
Otago Daily Times

Construction of two cycle trails between Alexandra and Lawrence is progressing steadily, with more money uplifted from funders and hopes to have some sections open to the public early next year.

With a budget of $3.4 million, $2 million of which came from the Government, construction of the 34km Roxburgh Gorge Cycle Trail between Alexandra and the Roxburgh dam started just over a year ago.

Recently, with government funds running low, Central Lakes Trust and the Otago Community Trust granted a total of $670,000.

Trail trust chairman Stephen Jeffery said that was not because there was a time limit on the government funds, but because they decided to use that money before approaching other funders.

The project was also costing more than expected.

He said contractors were within their tender budgets but the entire project was not running to budget because of costly realignment issues at the Alexandra end of the trail. The contractor was due back there in about a week and it was hoped that section, about 10km, would be complete by April.

A 12km section at the Roxburgh end was almost finished. Only grading, gravelling and signage had to be completed before it could be open to locals, although that was not expected to happen until early next year, he said.

Once the trails were complete, jetties would be built in the Roxburgh Gorge so cyclists and walkers could catch a boat between the two sections of the trail, as the trust still did not have permission from the Miller family to build the centre section. Construction of the 73km Clutha Gold Cycle Trail from the Roxburgh dam to Lawrence, on the opposite side of the river to the Roxburgh Gorge trail, began at the start of this year.

Trail trust chairman Rod Peirce said most of the trail was under construction and was within the $5.5 million budget, $3.8 million of which came from the Government.

The 13km section from the dam to Pinders Pond was complete except for a bridge over the Teviot River, and it was hoped that could open in the new year.

Construction from the Lawrence end was now about 2km short of Beaumont and construction on another section, from Millers Flat to the Talleburn River, was due to start soon.

Both chairmen said they had hoped the trails would be further along by now.

Mr Jeffery said there were ''things thrown at us that slowed us down ... things beyond our control''.

Mr Peirce said the Clutha Gold trail was also held up by small things but he was ''extremely pleased'' with how it was looking.

It was hoped the trail would be completed and open by next April, although ''with an [almost] 80km-long trail, it's hard to be definitive''.

Mr Jeffery said the Roxburgh Gorge trail trust would be ''trying to hurry things along'' now.

The trails are two of the 18 ''Great Rides'' in the Government's New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

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Another Section Of Clutha Gold Trail

Another section of Clutha Gold trail takes shape
By Helena de Reus, on Thursday 19 July 2012
Otago Daily Times

Work has begun on the Beaumont to Lawrence section of the Clutha Gold Trail.

Trail charitable trust chairman Rod Peirce said SouthRoads staff started building the 15km section from Beaumont to Evans Flat on Monday, while other contractors worked to install bridges between Evans Flat and Lawrence.

Construction of the cycle trail at Beaumont began at the SH8 Clutha River bridge, across the road from the Beaumont Millennium Track.

Mr Peirce said contractors began scraping off topsoil, laying base gravel and putting culverts in place.

"From the bridge to Weardale St we're utilising the road reserve, and then carrying on through the [Beaumont] township, with most of this trail section on private property."

The 73km trail, which will cost an estimated $5.5 million, was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, getting $3.8 million from the Government. A 20km section is planned in the Clutha district, between Beaumont and Lawrence; the remaining 53km will be in Central Otago, from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont.

The trail section near the Roxburgh Bridge is nearing completion.

Mr Peirce said the 8km section from Evans Flat to Lawrence followed the old railway line from Lawrence to Milton, and track construction was almost complete.

Fencing in this area was done by Lawrence-Tuapeka area residents as a fundraiser for the Tuapeka Aquatic Centre - a project which Mr Peirce said the trust was happy to support.

The Clutha District Council is running workshops designed to help facilitate ideas and identify opportunities for the community arising from the Clutha Gold Trail.

The first workshop was held in November last year, with the fourth due to be held in Lawrence on July 31.

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Trust Gives Cycleway Grant Of $300,000

Trust gives cycleway grant of $300,000
By Helena de Reus, on Thursday 28 June 2012
Otago Daily Times

The Clutha Gold Trail has received a $300,000 boost for the Beaumont to Lawrence leg of the cycleway.

The Otago Community Trust yesterday announced the large donation, which has been welcomed by the trust behind the trail.

The 73km trail, which will cost an estimated $5.5 million, was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with $3.8 million from the Government.

A 20km section is planned in the Clutha district, between Beaumont and Lawrence, and the remaining 53km will be in Central Otago, from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont.

Otago Community Trust chief executive Keith Ellwood said the trust was very supportive of the cycleway development in the region, which would benefit the community in terms of economic development, health, recreation and exercise.

Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust chairman Rod Peirce said trustees were "pleased and very excited" with the donation.

"We have our Government funding but we needed our co-funding. The full amount we requested from the Otago Community Trust was granted, which is just what we needed."

Mr Peirce said work on the trail was well under way.

"In construction terms we're more than halfway through."

The trail is being constructed in six sections.

Stage one from Roxburgh dam to Roxburgh was almost finished, but awaiting the construction of two bridges.

Further downstream, the 8km stretch near Lawrence was being worked on by Homer Contracting.

Mr Peirce said the 8km section followed the old railway line from Lawrence to Milton so track construction was almost complete.

Bridges in the Lawrence-Tuapeka area of the trail were due to be installed soon.

The trust hopes to have the Clutha Gold Trail completed by the end of the year.

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Trust Hopes Trail Open By End Of Year

Trust hopes cycle trail completed by end of year
By Helena de Reus, on Friday 22 June 2012
Otago Daily Times

Work on the Clutha district leg of the Clutha Gold Trail will start next week, with the trust behind the cycle trail hopeful the whole trail will be completed by the end of the year.

Clutha Gold Charitable Trust chairman Rod Peirce said contractors would start work at Beaumont, finishing at Cockleshell Rd in the Evans Flat area near Lawrence.

SouthRoads won the contract for that section of the trail, with Waitahuna-based Homer Contracting due to work on the Evans Flat to Lawrence section later in the year.

Trail project manager Tim Dennis, of Southern Land CKL, said SouthRoads staff were due to begin construction of the trail next week on the 15km section from Beaumont to Evans Flat.

The 73km trail, which will cost an estimated $5.5 million, was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with $3.8 million from the Government.

A 20km section is planned in the Clutha district, between Beaumont and Lawrence, and the remaining 53km will be in Central Otago, from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont.

The trail is being constructed in six sections.

Stage one from Roxburgh Dam to Roxburgh was "virtually concluded", but awaiting the construction of two bridges.

Mr Peirce said workers had reached Millers Flat, with work on the next stage between Millers Flat and the Millennium Track in the Beaumont Gorge due to begin in a few weeks.

"Progress is going quite well. We'd like to think it would be finished by the end of the year, or at least the beginning of next year. Either way, some of the trail should be open for the summer."

The trust had hoped to begin work on the trail last year, but was unable to do so as contractors were not available any earlier.

The Clutha District Council is running workshops designed to help facilitate ideas and identify opportunities for the community arising from the Clutha Gold Trail.

The first workshop was held in November last year, with the third held on Tuesday night.

Council development manager Jill Borland said the council wanted a forum to help create ideas and identify opportunities for the local community arising from the Clutha Gold Trail.

The public "Trail Opportunities Forum" aimed to identify those with an interest in the trail development and establish a mode of communication.

She hoped it would also identify community resources, skills and interests to maximise potential trail-related opportunities.

Two more workshops have been planned for July 31, and August 14.

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Golden Start For Clutha Cycle Trail

Golden start for new Clutha cycle trail
By Barbara Withington, on Monday 16 April 2012
Southland Times

The Clutha Gold Cycle Trail lived up to its name at an open day yesterday, when more than 100 people took advantage of the chance to walk a completed part of the planned 75-kilometre track from Roxburgh Dam to Lawrence.

Golden autumn colours greeted walkers along the track.

While some people had already cheated and travelled at least part of the 20km of newly formed track, for others their first impressions were favourable.

Locals and visitors aged from nine to 90 meandered for about 1km either north or south from Pinders Pond, taking in trees, bluffs and the river alongside.

Roxburgh Community Board chairman Stephen Jeffery said a marketing tool for the trail was that it was "up and down and around through the trees, definitely not straight and boring".

One who took the chance to see the other end of the track was Debra Murray, of Evans Flat, whose land borders the old railway line, parts of which will be cleared for the Lawrence end of the trail.

"We have the historic yards which were used for holding cattle before being transported. It will be great to see these restored as part of our end of the trail as otherwise it is quite open.

"Not like this beautiful track," Mrs Murray said.

Clutha Gold Trail chairman Rod Peirce said backers hoped to have much of the track work done while the weather held, doing the road crossing work over the winter when the tarseal was firmer.

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Progress On Clutha Gold Trail

Considerable progress on Clutha Gold cycle trail
By Sarah Marquet, on Thursday 12 April 2012
Otago Daily Times

It's full steam ahead for the 73km Clutha Gold cycle trail between the Roxburgh dam and Lawrence. Construction is well under way on two sections at the Roxburgh end, and is about to start on another at the Lawrence end.

Trail trust chairman Rod Peirce said successful tenderer Homer Contracting was due to start on the Lawrence to Cockleshell Rd section, which would be relatively easy as it was on an old railway line.

"It's more like a tidy-up and spread some top gravel ...There are a couple of bridges to go in but they are under construction."

Earlier this year, construction began on other sections: 9km from the Roxburgh dam to Roxburgh, and a 23km section from Roxburgh to the mouth of the Beaumont Gorge at Minzion Burn. While Mr Peirce estimated between only 2km and 4km had been completed, he said the rest was not far away, some sections needing only a final top-dressing of gravel.

"It takes a while to do each section ... [We] need a heavy rain to be part of the process." Heavy rain would show weaknesses in the land, and any slips or potential slips could be fixed.

Two bridges are also to be installed in these sections: one at Butchers Creek in Roxburgh East and another over the Teviot River.

Mr Peirce described the trail section which passed Pinders Pond as a "trial" section where the contractor was fine-tuning construction methods. That section would be open to the public on Sunday from 2pm to 4pm to give people an idea of what the final product would be.

Although people are asked to leave their bikes at home because of the number of people expected, people would be able to walk 1km either way from the Pinders Pond campground and car park area.

Mr Peirce said trust members would be on hand to guide visitors and talk about the trail.

He said "a lot of people had been going to Pinders Pond to inspect the trail at weekends and the community was "beginning to take ownership" of the trail, and the trust was hearing "so many good comments" which had helped spark the plan for the open day.

However, Mr Peirce warned the trail was still a construction site and, as such, was effectively closed to the public, except for the open day. He warned contractors were still working on the trail during the week.

In its entirety, the trail will cross 11 private sections for which land-use easements have been obtained, Central Otago and Clutha District Council road verge, New Zealand Transport Agency road verge, Contact Energy, Land Information New Zealand and marginal strip land.

Mr Peirce said the completed trail between Roxburgh dam and Lawrence was scheduled to be opened early next year. It is part of the Nga Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail network, will cost $5.5 million to build, $3.8 million of which will come from government.

It follows the true left of the Clutha River to Beaumont, then winds through rural valleys to Lawrence.

It is intended the trail will link up with the 34km Roxburgh Gorge cycle trail between the Roxburgh dam and Alexandra.

Construction at the Alexandra end of the gorge trail has slowed since the trail trust began renegotiations with Bruce and Leigh Johnston, landowners on the section, after the couple voiced safety concerns which effectively stalled construction around their land.

Trail trust chairman Stephen Jeffery said the delay brought a silver lining: it meant the contractor building the trail could begin work near the Roxburgh dam, speeding up progress at that end.

However, the Alexandra delay had pushed the trail timeframe back "a bit" and instead of the 10km Roxburgh Gorge section being completed by June as scheduled, it would now be "well into spring" before it was finished.

Work began on that section in November.

Mr Jeffery estimated a little more than 4km of the trail had been completed so far. The middle section was still a "work in progress".

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Strong Support For Riverside Trail

Strong Support For Riverside Trail
By Lynda Van Kempen, on Tuesday 7 February 2012
Otago Daily Times

There is a "hell of a lot" of support out there for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, says trail trust chairman Stephen Jeffery.

Construction of the 34km trail, from Alexandra to the Roxburgh dam, began in November and Mr Jeffery was hopeful two sections of the trail would be finished by the end of this year.

He was disappointed the trail work had generated some negative publicity.

"Despite what you might think, the trail has a lot of backers. There's a hell of a lot of support for it, and there's a bit of a buzz in the [Teviot] valley now work's started on the trail."

The trust well knew of the concerns of trail opposers.

"We're doing what we can to address those concerns, as best we can, with the tools we have available to us, but at the end of the day, some things are beyond us to change."

Construction began on the first 10km, from Alexandra to Flat Top Hill, in November. Tendering for the 10km section from the Roxburgh dam towards Alexandra should be under way by the middle of this year, Mr Jeffery said.

"We're still pretty hopeful by the end of this year, those two sections will be completed."

Negotiations are still under way with two pastoral lessees in the middle section of the trail.

One family in that section had earlier refused access over their land and the trust said it would transport cyclists by boat past that section.

Mr Jeffery hoped the first section of the trail, roughly 1km, from Alexandra towards the gorge, would be completed soon and open for the public to view.

Last month, Bruce and Leigh Johnston set up a protest tent for a day, to block the path of the trail on the marginal strip in front of their property, about 1.5km from Alexandra, after concerns about the impact construction work was having on their land.

They removed the tent after entering further negotiations with the trust.

Mr Jeffery declined to comment on how talks were going with the Johnstons.

Approached for his comments, Mr Johnston said he and his wife were "working positively" with the trust.

"Talks between us and the trust are still at a crucial stage, regarding the trail width, alignment and stability. Until those are resolved, there's been an understanding with the trust and the contractor that no work will be carried out beside or on our property," Mr Johnston said.

The Roxburgh Gorge trail is one of the 18 which make up the New Zealand Cycle Trail project.

It will cost about $3.4 million and the Government has donated $2 million.

Mr Jeffery said the trust was, likethe Clutha Gold trust, seeking outside finance to cover the difference between the Government funding and the cost of the project.

"We've had preliminary talks with some other funders about the project."

There was no "pressure" on the trail trust to use all the Government funding by the middle of this year, he said.

"Two stages of our trail will have tenders let by then. The trust will be able to show we've met their requirements for those two sections to get it off the ground."

Lake Roxburgh businessman Phil Winterbottom said many residents and businesspeople were pleased work was under way on both the Clutha Gold and the Roxburgh Gorge trails.

"I'm sure they're something that, two or three years on, will make the [Teviot] valley a different place. Look what the [Otago Central] Rail Trail's done for the towns along its route. We're ready for that to happen and will embrace it. By next summer, we could have two cycle trails on our doorstep," he said.

The Roxburgh Gorge Trail will link to the Clutha Gold Trail.

They are expected to generate 70 jobs and $2.5 million annually within five years of completion.

Roxburgh Gorge Trail:
- 34km, from Alexandra to Roxburgh dam.
- $3.4 million to build, $2 million from Government
- Follows true right side of the Clutha.
- Work on first 10km under way.

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'A Thrill' To See Sections Underway

'A thrill' to see sections near completion
By Lynda Van Kempen, on Tuesday 7 February 2012
Otago Daily Times

The Government launched the New Zealand Cycle Trail project in 2009 and provided funding for 18 "Great Rides" around the country.

Five were in the lower half of the South Island and three of those - the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, the Queenstown Trail and Around the Mountains Trail - already have sections open.

Central Otago reporter Lynda van Kempen checked on the progress of the other two southern Great Rides - the Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail.

It was a day Rod Peirce had been awaiting for five years.

The first day of construction on the Clutha Gold cycle trail was a milestone and a moment to be treasured, the chairman of the trail charitable trust said.

"It's hard to believe it's finally under way ... I've been waiting five years for this to happen," he said.

"After all the hard work and planning up until this point, it's a thrill to finally see progress on the ground."

The Roxburgh man is one of the driving forces behind the project. The trail, one of five in the lower South Island included in the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, extends from Roxburgh to Lawrence.

In recent weeks, work started on two sections of the 73km trail, a 9km section from the Roxburgh dam into Roxburgh and another 23km section from Roxburgh to the mouth of the Beaumont Gorge at Minzion Burn.

Construction started a fortnight ago on the 9km section which will link the Roxburgh dam to Roxburgh with a bridge at Butchers Creek and over the Teviot River and a roadside cycleway along the Roxburgh East road to the Roxburgh bridge.

All going to plan, the trail will be finished within 12 to 15 months, Mr Peirce said.

Each section would be "open for business" as soon as it is completed.

Two different contractors have won the tenders for the first two sections of trail and tenders are being called progressively for remaining sections.

"We'd do it all at once if it was possible but, logistically, we have to break it into stages to make it easier on those overseeing the project," trustee Graham Dillon, of Queenstown, said.

Finding the balance of the funding for the project is still a work in progress, but the trustees are confident of getting the money from "outside sources" and the trail being "stand-alone".

"That's something that all 18 in the national cycle trail have to be. We couldn't do this if it wasn't going to be stand-alone -we don't want to be claiming on the ratepayers, " Mr Dillon said.

Various sources of funding were being explored, including charitable trusts and business sponsors.

Trustees will attend a workshop in Wellington this month, aimed at giving cycle trail promoters ideas on marketing and how communities can capitalise on the asset.

Mr Peirce said the trust had agreement to easements over the private and public land the trail would cross.

The granting of resource consents for the Central Otago part of the trail was initially appealed to the Environment Court last year but was resolved after mediation between the parties.

Clutha Gold Trail:
- 73km from Roxburgh dam to Lawrence.
- $5.5 million to build, $3.8 million from Government.
- Follows true left of Clutha to Beaumont, then through farm valleys to Lawrence.
- Work on two sections under way.

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Further Step Towards Clutha Gold Trail

Further step taken towards Clutha Gold track
By Helena de Reus, on Friday 12 August 2011
Otago Daily Times

The Clutha District Council yesterday at its meeting appointed a commissioner to examine consent applications for the proposed Clutha Gold walking and cycling track between the Roxburgh dam and Lawrence.

The Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust last month applied to the Clutha District Council for a land use consent for the 20km section between Beaumont and Lawrence for which the council has jurisdiction.

Planning and environment manager Murray Brass said the council had asked Dunedin City councillor Colin Weatherall to be an independent commissioner, because the trust had asked for a non-notified consent. The council supported the proposal, so an independent commissioner was needed to decide whether to grant the consent.

However, Mr Weatherall would have to confirm a non-notified consent upon his return from the United Kingdom in a few weeks.

"It'll be nice to see everything under way, but this is only another step. There are plenty more to go," trust chairman Rod Peirce said The trust hoped to work on the trail in sections, joining them together later, he said.

The section of trail would begin at the Millenium Track, at the southern end of the Beaumont Bridge and take riders and walkers to Lawrence township.

Construction of the trail was expected to begin in the next two months, after the resolution of an appeal from the Society for the Promotion of an Alternative Route about some aspects of the trail.

In March, independent commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, granted land use consent to the trust for structures associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a walking and cycling track.

The consent was subject to 48 conditions and applied only to the section within the Central Otago district, from the dam to Beaumont, where the trail would follow the true left bank (east) of the Clutha River.

The appeal has resulted in extra conditions being imposed about surveying in front of some properties, but the society had been unsuccessful in trying to get part of the trail realigned, the society's lawyer, Annabel Ritchie, said.

Mr Peirce said the trust was pleased by the decision because it had "only had one option - along the river", for the trail.

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Commissioner 'Erred' Over Consent

Commissioner 'erred' over consent
By Colin Williscroft, on Saturday 9 April 2011
Otago Daily Times

Independent commissioner Denis Nugent "erred in law" over a range of issues when he granted resource consent for aspects of the proposed Clutha Gold cycle trail, an appeal against his decision says.

The appeal, lodged with the Environment Court in Christchurch this week by the Society for the Promotion of an Alternative Trail (Roxburgh Hydro to Lawrence), was against Mr Nugent's consent decision "in its entirety". It said the consent should be cancelled.

The proposed Clutha Gold Trail will run from the Roxburgh dam to Lawrence. Consent granted to the Clutha Gold Charitable Trust by Mr Nugent last month applied only to the section within the Central Otago district, from the dam to Beaumont, where the trail will follow the true left bank (east) of the Clutha River, mostly on marginal strip.

The consent was for the structures associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a walking and cycling track. In particular, 11 horizontal signs, each with a maximum area of 3sq m, for interpretation of items of interest along the trail, one kiosk sign in Millers Flat and three culverts.

Consent was not granted for the track's construction, as the trust did not apply for it, because it did not think it was necessary. At the hearing in February, Mr Nugent found any earthworks or vegetation that required clearing as part of the track's construction would require a consent "severable and distinct from the activity of use of the trail itself".

The society disagreed and, in its appeal, said Mr Nugent made a mistake in not bundling together the effects of the structures and the effects of the trail itself.

The appeal also questioned whether there was adequate information to assess the effects of the proposed structures and the trail's location. The society asked how, despite noting in his decision "there was a lack of information that could be used to assess the effects of those structures", Mr Nugent could grant consent.

Mr Nugent was also wrong when he found the effect on the environment of the cycle trail would be no more than minor. That decision did not adequately address the adverse effects of the proposal on the visual amenity values, rural amenity values and geological and flood hazards, it said.

As part of the appeal, the society has agreed to take part in mediation or an alternative dispute resolution process to find an outcome suitable to both sides.

The Central Otago District Council, which appointed Mr Nugent to hear the consent application, has been named as defendant in the case.

No date has been set for it to be heard by the Environment Court.

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Consents Related To Trail Appealed

Consents related to cycle trail appealed
By Colin Williscroft, on Friday 8 April 2011
Otago Daily Times

Resource consent granted for some aspects of the proposed Clutha Gold cycle trail between Lake Roxburgh and Beaumont has been appealed to the Environment Court.

The appeal, made by the Society for the Promotion of an Alternative Route, is based on legal advice, society chairman Jim Barclay, of Millers Flat, said. Some issues of law needed to be addressed but he declined to comment further until he had spoken to the society's lawyer.

The Clutha Gold Trail is proposed to run from the Roxburgh dam to Lawrence. The resource consent granted to the Clutha Gold Charitable Trust by independent commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, last month, applied only to the section within the Central Otago district, from the dam to Beaumont, where the trail will follow the true left bank (east) of the Clutha River. Most of the track will be on the marginal strip next to the river.

The consent was for structures associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a walking and cycling track, subject to 48 conditions. Mr Nugent did not grant consent for the trail itself, as the trust's application did not ask for it.

"It was the applicant's contention that the trail itself was a permitted activity and therefore did not require resource consent," Mr Nugent said in releasing his decision.

"I need not explore whether that contention is correct or not, as I would have no jurisdiction to grant consent to something that has not been applied for."

Mr Nugent rejected a request at the hearing, by Dunedin planning consultant Keith Hovell, that the application for consent be renotified. That request was based on the opinion the track itself required consent.

The 73km trail was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with a grant of $2.5 million for the 50km section from the dam to Beaumont. Government funding for the second part of the trail is under review, because of unresolved issues with affected landowners.

Trust chairman Rod Peirce, of Roxburgh, did not want to comment on the appeal.

The Environment Court confirmed it had received the appeal but could not give any indication as to when the appeal would be heard.

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Consent Granted For Trail Structures

Consent granted for trail structures

By Colin Williscroft, on Saturday 12 March 2011
Otago Daily Times

Planning consent has been granted for some aspects of the Clutha Gold Trail but the decision could still be appealed.

Independent commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, has granted the Clutha Gold Charitable Trust land use consent for structures associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a walking and cycling track, following a hearing held in the middle of last month.

Consent is subject to 48 conditions.

The Clutha Gold Trail is proposed to run from the Roxburgh dam to Lawrence. The resource consent granted by Mr Nugent applies only to the section within the Central Otago district, from the dam to Beaumont, where the trail will follow the true left bank (east) of the Clutha River.

Consent was granted for 11 horizontal signs, each with a maximum area of 3sq m, for interpretation of items of interest along the trail, one kiosk sign in Millers Flat and three culverts.

Mr Nugent did not grant consent for the trail itself, as the trust's application did not ask for it.

"It was the applicant's contention that the trail itself was a permitted activity and therefore did not require resource consent," Mr Nugent said.

"As the applicant has limited the application to the structures listed, I need not explore whether that contention is correct or not, as I would have no jurisdiction to grant consent to something that has not been applied for."

If the trust found that it could not meet Central Otago District Council standards for a permitted activity during construction of the trail, it would need to stop work and apply for the necessary resource consent, he said.

The 73km trail was the first in Central Otago to receive funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with a grant of $2.5 million for the 50km section from the dam to Beaumont. Government funding for the second part of the trail is under review, due to unresolved issues with affected landowners.

Chairman of the Society for the Promotion of an Alternative Route Jim Barclay, of Millers Flat, said he expected Mr Nugent's decision.

"They've got consent for the structures associated with the trail but no-one knows whether the trail itself needs consent."

The society had yet to meet to consider what it would do next but Mr Barclay said that would happen soon. Only after that meeting was held could he comment on the likelihood of an appeal, which had to be made within 15 working days of the Mr Nugent's decision.

Trust chairman Rod Peirce, of Roxburgh, was pleased consent had been granted, but wanted to wait until the appeal period was over before making any comment. However, he hoped discussions with landowners affected by the other section of the trail would be successful and it, too, could go ahead.

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Objectors Not Against Trail

Objectors not against trail idea
By Colin Williscroft, on Wednesday 23 February 2011
Otago Daily Times

A group of landowners who objected to the route of the proposed Clutha Gold Trail are not against the trail itself.

Chairman of the Society for the Promotion of an Alternative route (Roxburgh Hydro - Lawrence) Inc, Jim Barclay, of Millers Flat, said all those people who spoke at the recent resource consent hearing for the trail said they supported its aims ''but like all good ideas, you have to get the local people to support more than just the aims''.

Everyone involved with the society was in favour of anything that promoted the district, Mr Barclay said.

The Clutha Gold Trail will run along the true left side (east) of the Clutha River, from the Roxburgh dam to Lawrence, although the resource consent hearing was only dealing with the section from the dam to Beaumont.

It will be built mainly on the marginal strip next to the river, although some parts will be in Crown-owned land, land vested in the Central Otago District Council and private property, including some owned by Contact Energy.

Mr Barclay said the 19 or 20 paid-up members of the society believed the proposed route of the trail by-passed significant Teviot Valley tourist attractions, such as the Lonely Graves and former gold panning areas.

''It would seem appropriate they were included in the trail.''

The society was formed by people as a way of pursuing their common interests, he said.

In its present form, the route was unnecessarily disruptive on some people, Mr Barclay said.

''There are alternatives available.

''The society would like to work with the trust to minimise the effects on established homes, farming and orchard seasonal work, as well as to minimise the cost of construction and maintenance of the trail.

''If we work together we could get everyone on the side of what could be a good idea.''

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Trail Landowners Criticise Process

Trail landowners criticise process
By Colin Williscroft, on Friday 18 February 2011
Otago Daily Times

Landowners opposed to the proposed Clutha Gold Trail have criticised the way the organisation behind it has gone about the project.

They voiced their dissatisfaction during a two-day hearing in Roxburgh this week that heard an application by the Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust for resource consent to build structures associated with the construction, operation and maintenance of a walking and cycling trail.

The proposed Clutha Gold Trail will run along the true left side (east) of the Clutha River, from the Roxburgh dam to Beaumont.

It will be built mainly on the marginal strip next to the river, although some parts will be in Crown-owned land, land vested in the Central Otago District Council and private property, including some owned by Contact Energy.

Ruth Huwes, of Millers Flat, told Hearings Commissioner Denis Nugent the proposal had been characterised by a lack of transparency and communication.

Mrs Huwes and her husband Colin met trust members in 2008 to discuss what impact the trail might have on a retreat they were building on their property next to the marginal strip, as they were concerned the trail and accompanying cyclists would invade the privacy of their future guests.

They were told their concerns would be listened to but Mrs Huwes said they did not hear from the trust until it was announced last year the trail would largely follow the river.

"We had continued to build our retreat but we now had very serious doubts as to the intentions of the trust with regard to our property. We were devastated," Mrs Huwes said.

"We had tried to be proactive in 2008 but now felt betrayed."

Since that time they have been told they were "uncivic" in opposing the trail.

"I feel that we are being singled out as objecting to and trying to stymie the whole project. That is not the case. We are merely wanting a level playing field and [to be] given sufficient information and time to assess what the impacts are on us," she said.

Ken Franklin, of Christchurch, but who has owned a property next to the marginal strip by the Clutha River for seven years, echoed some concerns.

"There has been a lack of adequate consultation in terms of the location [of the trail]," he said.

The trust had not chosen the best possible route for the trail, he said, in terms of public safety, visual amenity and construction and maintenance costs.

"There needs to be wider consultation about other alternatives."

Anita Dawe, of Clyde, a senior planner with BTW South who represented the trust at this week's hearing, said there had been a variety of consultation and information meetings, phone calls and news articles about the trail. "We submit that consultation has been exhaustive and continuous."

Consultation does not mean to reach agreement, although that is the desired outcome, but to engage, participate and adjust proposals if possible, she said. Meetings with affected residents were held until February 28.

"Despite the best intentions and goodwill of all parties, unfortunately, no agreement could be reached," she said.

Mr Nugent reserved his decision.

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Cycle Trail Route Change Proposed

Cycle trail route change proposed
By Lynda Van Kempen, on Wednesday 1 December 2010
Otago Daily Times

An alternative route has been proposed for the Beaumont to Lawrence section of the Clutha Gold cycle trail and trust chairman Rod Peirce is confident it will proceed.

That section of the 73km trail from Roxburgh East to Lawrence is subject to engineering studies and the approval of the New Zealand Transport Agency, but Mr Peirce said initial discussions with the agency were "positive."

The alternative route involves the use of some highway road verge, combined with access through some private property. NZTA coastal Otago manager Roger Bailey agreed the talks were "promising" and said safety was the paramount concern. Engineering studies had to be carried out to see if the trail would fit safely.

Mr Peirce confirmed that changes to the route were made to work around a landowner who had declined to give permission for his land to be used.

"But we've always been working on achieving our aim, to get from Roxburgh through to Lawrence. That's the main priority and we're still confident of meeting our target. This variation won't make a huge difference to the trail, and we're pretty happy with the route," Mr Peirce said.

"The key factors of the route are still there - the farmland from Roxburgh to Beaumont and the Clutha River section."

The trail was the first in Central Otago to receive government funding under the New Zealand Cycle Trail project, with a grant of $2.5 million for the 50km Roxburgh East to Beaumont section. The feasibility study for the 33km Beaumont to Lawrence section is being updated to reapply for government funding for that section.

There are 150 landowners along the entire length of the planned route.

Mr Peirce was unsure whether the route change would alter the estimated $3.8 million cost of the project.

"We're making savings in one part and spending in other parts has increased, so we'll need to work those figures out."

The second part of the trail had certainly not "stalled", he said.

The Roxburgh East to Beaumont route has been finalised and the trust has applied for resource consent for works and structures on that portion, which is all within the Central Otago district.

A hearing will be held before independent commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, probably in early February.

The application has attracted 17 submissions, nine opposing, five in support and three neutral, the Central Otago District Council's planning team leader Ann Rodgers said.

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