The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has moved to register Old Dunstan Rd - one of the country's oldest routes- as a category one historic place.
The road from Clarks Junction, near Middlemarch, to Galloway Flat, near Alexandra, was the primary route from the Taieri Plain to the Dunstan goldfields near Clyde, and is the subject of a documentary film by artist Grahame Sydney.
The trust's Otago Southland manager, Owen Graham, said registration was a way to formally recognise the outstanding historic value of Old Dunstan Rd.
"It's not a protection of the road, as such, but registration indicates the significance of a place and how important we think it is," Mr Graham said.
Protection of significant historic places is usually done through district plans, maintained and managed by local government.
Councils are required to take notice of the trust's register when developing regional and district plans.
A 73-page report has been prepared on the proposal and the matter is open for submissions until October 20.
The report contains several recommendations from the trust for the Dunedin City Council and the Central Otago District Council, aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation of the road.
The Central Otago branch of the trust asked for the road to be registered in 2007.
"It's taken this long to come to fruition because of the research needed," Mr Graham said.
The trust's report on Old Dunstan Rd said most of it was built by 1862 as a route between Dunedin and Central Otago, and it was the main route to the Dunstan Goldfields until 1864.
The route was quicker than any others at the time, but it was often impassable in winter.
Mr Graham said it was one of the country's premier heritage roads by virtue of its historic importance, its association with the early days of Central Otago and because of its length -170km.
Some of the original road remains unaltered.
It is maintained by the city and district councils, and parts of it are closed during winter.
"Today, Old Dunstan Rd is gaining more prominence as a tourist route, and becoming well known," he said.
The road was mentioned during the resource consent process for the Project Hayes wind farm.
Access to the southern side of Meridian Energy's proposed $2 billion wind farm for the Lammermoor Range would be via Old Dunstan Rd, an Environment Court hearing was told in January.
A decision on the hearing is pending.
Historic Places Trust recommendations:
> The Dunedin City Council and Central Otago District Council should add the road into their register of heritage buildings, places and sites.
> The two councils should work towards developing a heritage road management plan to establish standards for management and maintenance, recognising the road's heritage values and national importance.
> The trust will discuss signs with the councils, so information boards can be placed for visitors on the route.
Old Dunstan Rd:
> Designed by engineer and surveyor John Turnbull Thomson.
> Crosses four mountain ranges.
> Was shortest route between Dunedin and Central Otago.
> Built in direct line from the Taieri Plain to the Manuherikia Valley.
> Construction began 1861 and largely completed by 1862.
> Was main route to the Dunstan goldfields until 1864.
> Coaches eventually abandoned route because it was often impassable in winter.
> Road still open today - parts are sealed, some unsealed and some sections closed during winter.
