(July 2024) The Fiordland Trails Trust is both relieved and excited that an additional 13km of multiuse trail has finally been given the go ahead, with a 2km trail extension to Sinclair Road now expected to be complete by Christmas.
Despite original consents and agreements for the trail extension being in place since mid 2022, the latest extension has suffered ongoing delays. Work has been put on hold since January 2023, with the Trust required to obtain a Wildlife Permit and lizard management plan.
With both now in place, after many reports, surveys and work, the Trust is relieved to have the green light to progress and hopes Te Anau residents and visitors will have an off-road experience from Te Anau to Sinclair Road in place by Christmas.
FTT Chair David Boniface says the Trust takes its responsibilities seriously when it comes to native flora and fauna, as evidenced by its ongoing planting, and predator and weed control programme alongside parts of existing trail network.
“We take the protection of endangered species very seriously and, as per our Wildlife Permit, will be taking important steps to ensure we continue this as we develop this next part of the trail.”
Part of those steps will include a modified vegetation clearance method, and ensuring the trail formation width is no more than 2.2m (the Trust had original consent for a 3m wide formation width).
Mr Boniface said, despite the delays, the Trust was thrilled to finally be able to progress the new trail.
“We had been allowed to progress the trail from the Upukerora Trail Bridge to Patience Bay, as that sat outside of the area of potential concern, and we’ve already seen such wonderful usage and comments from the community about that – so we know the next 13km of trail will be a really positive addition,” he said.
A 2km extension to Sinclair Road is expected to be complete by Christmas, after which point the Trust will then work through fundraising and other logistics to eventually complete 11 further kilometres and take the trail all the way to Boundary Creek.
“Once fully complete, this next piece of trail will make for a brilliant bike ride, walk, or run, from Boundary Creek to Te Anau, then connecting with the Lake2Lake Trail and heading all the way to Manapouri,” Mr Boniface said.
“We’ve seen, from the Impact Assessment we undertook in 2023, that the Lake2Lake Trail has a direct economic contribution to the Fiordland area exceeding $3million, so the more we can do to enhance the trail experience the better.”
