PRESS RELEASE: Kawarau Gorge Trail on Track
The proposed Kawarau Gorge Trail which will link the Queenstown Trail with the Lake Dunstan Trail in Cromwell has the green light to proceed.
PRESS RELEASE 7/12/22
The proposed Kawarau Gorge Trail which will link with the Lake Dunstan Trail has the green light to proceed following agreement, after cordial negotiations, between the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust (COQTNT) and the objectors in the Environment Court appeal.
Trust chairman Stephen Jeffery says it is exciting to resume progress on the much-anticipated Kawarau Gorge Trail which is part of the $26+ million New Zealand Cycle Trail Project connecting five Great Rides in Central Otago.
These include the Queenstown Trail, the recently opened Lake Dunstan Trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail, and the Clutha Gold Trail.
The proposed route connecting Wanaka to Cromwell and the missing 13 kilometres on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail from Doctors Point to Shingle Creek will complete the ambitious seven-year project creating over 500 kilometres of linked cycle and walking trails throughout Central Otago.
Mr Jeffery says The Trust is grateful to the Kawarau Gorge landowners who have provided legal access for the trail at Victoria Flats and Mt Difficulty Station.
He also paid tribute to the previous Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult and QLDC CEO Mike Theelan and staff for their support in helping the Trust overcome both landowner concerns and technical hurdles.
The Kawarau Gorge Trail will traverse from the Nevis Bluff to Bannockburn where it will link with the Lake Dunstan Trail to Clyde.
The Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is responsible for the connecting section of the trail from Gibbston through the Nevis Bluff, including a tunnel under the state highway, while the
Goldfields Mining Centre has also embraced the trail concept with exciting developments proposed for the location.
“The final piece in the puzzle, currently underway, is finetuning for the section of trail that traverses Department of Conservation (DOC) land. We are working with DOC to finalise a Community Management Agreement and Lizard Management Plan to protect the species in the proposed trail area. We hope to have their approval in place in early 2023.”
Mr Jeffery considers the network of trails in Central Otago can only reinforce the profile of the region as a growing international cycling destination.
“We have already seen the outstanding success of the Lake Dunstan Trail and with the added investment into new trails the future looks particularly bright for cycling tourism in Central Otago.”
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Janeen Wood
P: 027 445 4488
Executive Trustee, Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust.
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