Lake Dunstan cycle trail given approval

The proposed cycle trail through the Cromwell Gorge has been approved by an independent commissioner, despite ''strong and heartfelt'' concerns about the risk of rockfalls on the trail from some submitters.

If no appeals were received, the Lake Dunstan cycle trail would be put out for tender and construction would hopefully start within three months, Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust chairman Stephen Jeffery said.

Commissioner Gary Rae's decision to grant land use consent for the trail - on the true right of Lake Dunstan, from Bannockburn to the Clyde Dam - was released yesterday, following a hearing held in Alexandra on December 4 last
year.

The application from the Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust was for land use consent for earthworks and structures for the trail, which will be part of the $26 million New Zealand Cycle Trail Project, to build 536km of trails connecting Cromwell to other Central Otago, Queenstown and Wanaka trails.

The consent for the Lake Dunstan trail listed various conditions, including a requirement for a geotechnical engineer to prepare a plan of key rockfall risk sites and proposed remedial works, and for the works to be done before the trail is constructed.

Mr Rae has also said signs must be erected warning of areas of ''significant rockfall risk''.

A report from WSP-Opus principal geotechnical engineer Rob Bond last year said the risks posed to trail users were ''close to intolerable'', and rockfall risk had the potential to cause significant harm or injury - even fatality.

Mr Rae said the ''applicant's position'' was that rockfall was ''not a relevant consideration in relation to the [Central Otago District Council's] district plan considerations''.

As well, the Resource Management Act was ''not about removing all risk''.

However, he acknowledged the ''strong and heartfelt concerns'' of some submitters, and said the applicant brought ''considerable evidence'' about the issue.

''Overall, the evidence from all of the geotechnical specialists was quite conclusive that the rockfall can be managed to acceptable levels,'' Mr Rae said.

The application attracted 176 submissions: 167 in favour, seven against and two neutral.

Other concerns of opposing submitters included the effect of the trail on the residents of Cornish Point - along the trail - and landscape effects - some of the trail is in areas classified as Outstanding Natural Landscapes.

Some submitters asked for an alternative route for the trail to be considered.

Cr Rae said resource consent was not required for the whole trail and his jurisdiction was restricted to works, structures or activities in areas which breached or exceeded the district plan.

The construction of the trail around Cornish Point was already a permitted activity, so he was not able to consider the effects of, or impose conditions for, that part of the trail.

In terms of landscape and visual effects, Cr Rae said the trail would have ''adverse landscape and visual effects'' but they would be ''no more than minor''.

He said the trail would ''greatly enhance'' public access along the true right side of Lake Dunstan, and represented an ''efficient use and development of natural and physical resources ... while maintaining the character and amenity of surrounding areas''.

Mr Jeffery said the cycle trail trust was happy with the conditions imposed.

pam.jones@odt.co.nz