The trusts behind two of Otago's newest trails say they will not ''police'' whether users pay a maintenance contribution, and will rely on the honesty of cyclists and walkers.
In an unusual move, it was announced this week users of the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold Trails would be asked to contribute to ongoing maintenance. To help raise funds, users are expected to pay $25 per person or $50 for a family, yearly, for a maintenance contribution tag which covers both trails.
''It won't be policed as such, but we are relying on people to be socially responsible, and they'll be able to see the benefit in having this huge resource, which has been built for them,'' Roxburgh Gorge trust chairman Stephen Jeffery said. The trails, between Alexandra and Lawrence, will be officially opened on October 24.
Mr Jeffery said the goal was to find ways to make the trails self-funding. Although he had an estimated figure for the likely maintenance costs, that figure would not be finalised until the trails had been open for at least a year.
''There'll be a settling-in period and some initial costs as issues arise at the start, but the contractors' 12-month warranty will cover some of that. It's not until it's been used for some time and we get an idea of how many people are using it and what impact that's having on the trail, that we'll get a better idea of the maintenance costs.''
Trail users will be able to pay the maintenance contribution at Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Ranfurly and Lawrence information centres or online. Counters would be installed at regular intervals along the two trails to record the number of users, he said. A ''passport'' was another fundraising idea and a double-sided passport was being designed.
The tracks are part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail network, which comes under the umbrella of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Ministry spokesman
Britton Broun said trail maintenance was often done through a maintenance agreement with another agency.
''However, where this does not happen, raising funds for maintenance through a voluntary contribution from trail users is another option.''
He believed a similar contribution was sought from users of Marlborough's Queen Charlotte trail.
A special presentation will be made to the 16 landowners who gave easements for the 73km Clutha Gold Trail when it officially opens.
An additional three landowners who leased land off Contact Energy and had those lease agreements adjusted for construction of the trail will also be recognised.
Trail trust chairman Rod Peirce said plaques and trophies will be presented to the landowners who helped the trust by providing private easements, all near the Lawrence end of the trail.
''It's to record the achievement and show them that we're very grateful.''
The Clutha Gold had ''probably the greatest number of private easements of all the 18 great rides throughout the country''.
He said he was working ''flat stick'' on final preparations for the opening and was ''hoping the weather gods shine on us''.
The three landowners who gave easements for the Roxburgh Gorge Trail will be recognised via acknowledgments on kiosks at either end of the 34km trail, which includes a 12km boat section.
