Councillor disappointed at cycle trail decision

Southland District Councillor John Douglas is very disappointed at the decision to grant only partial resource consent for the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail. Independent hearing commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, has declined consent for the section between the Mount Nicholas Road bridge to, and including, the proposed Oreti suspension bridge because he believes significant adverse effects on the environment would, or could, potentially occur in the section through the Eyre Mountains. A total of 28 kilometres out of the 140-kilometre trail has been declined.

"This trail is a fantastic project and will do so much for all the small communities along it. The environmental impact is minimal, but that is taking precedence over the social good," Cr Douglas, who is the ward councillor for Five Rivers, where the trail is, said.

"I am so disappointed because I thought we would be turning the first sod very soon and would be well under way by Christmas."

Cr Douglas said he needed to read the report, which was 126 pages, and discuss with Council, staff and its partners about what the next step was before commenting further.

• Decision on the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail