The section of Old Dunstan Rd from Clarks Junction, inland from Dunedin, to Galloway near Alexandra was confirmed by the trust's board on October 15 for a category 1 listing on its national register because it was judged to have outstanding heritage and historic significance.
The road, which was formed by pastoralists and has been well used by farmers and locals for 150 years, was for four years in the 1860s the main route for gold prospectors travelling to the Dunstan (Clyde) goldfields from Dunedin.
The trust's Otago-Southland area manager, Owen Graham, said trust registration gave no protection to the road. Historic places were usually protected through district plans, maintained and managed by local government, which was why the trust was keen to discuss with councils how best to ensure it remained an asset to the region.
It had held discussions with the Central Otago District Council and Dunedin City Council seeking to have the landmark added to their respective heritage schedules and urging development of a heritage road management and maintenance plan.
"It really is a heritage site we should all be proud of, while recognising its everyday practical use."
The proposal to register the road attracted 16 submissions, seven opposing the plan, seven supporting it and two neutral.
The road bisects Rocklands Station, and the station's trustees, together with Federated Farmers, objected to its registration, concerned at the impact it might have on farming operations. About 20 properties adjoin the road.
Rocklands Station co-trustee Bill Harrington said last night farmers had three concerns: that the trust had given little notice of its intention to register the road; that it placed too much emphasis on the farm-servicing road being used as a gold route (which they were satisfied had been addressed by the trust); and that adding the road to district plans would raise other issues, including questions about ownership of strips of land adjoining it.
He accepted the registration would raise the road's profile and attract more motorists, which farm workers would have to take into consideration and work around, but visitors would also have to understand that stock was often moved along the road and there could be disruptions to their journeys.
The issue of how much land on either side of the road would be involved in any listing in the district plan would also have to be addressed, and compensation could become an issue.
