All the resource consents have been granted and construction is likely to start soon on the Clutha Gold cycle trail, between Lake Roxburgh and Lawrence.
The trail will be built on public road reserve in areas where there were issues over use of private land.
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.
The Clutha Gold Trail Charitable Trust was recently granted land use consent by the Clutha District Council for the 20km section between Beaumont and Lawrence. The trust had earlier received resource consent from the Central Otago District Council for the 53km portion from Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont, which is within the Central Otago district.
Clutha Gold trustee Graham Dillon said the trust was pleased the consents had been granted.
" ... hopefully that very expensive process is now behind us and we can now minimize any of the concerns expressed by the individuals in the formal legal process."
The next step was fine-tuning the engineering issues and "liaising with the affected landholders to achieve the best possible outcome for both parties."
"Two stages of the trail in the Lake Roxburgh to Beaumont section have already been tendered. Construction will start shortly after the last boxes requiring ticking have been ticked."
Tenders would be called for the remaining trail sections soon, Mr Dillon said.
"With the help of the farmers and landholders, the trust has managed to secure a viable and continuous trail route from Lawrence to Lake Roxburgh.
The easements over private land will be surveyed and registered after the trail is established."
The Clutha council appointed Dunedin city councillor Colin Weatherall as an independent commissioner because the trust had asked for a non-notified consent.
In his decision, Mr Weatherall said the trail would bring more people and activity into the area, potentially creating "economic opportunities" for nearby communities.
Mr Weatherall referred to concerns raised by the Cotton family, who own Bellamy Station between Lawrence and Beaumont. He said his decision was based on the trust's assurances the trail could be constructed within the road reserve.
Roger Cotton, who jointly owns the farm at Bowlers Creek near Lawrence with his brother Stuart and father Graeme, told the Otago Daily Times he had concerns about some sections of the proposed route.
The trail would include a section where the roadside would be too narrow for the trail without using the Cottons' property, he said.
"We've never been against the trail. We just have a few practical issues with it. It's a matter of common sense, really."
