Cycle Trail gets partial consent

The Around the Mountain Cycle Trail has been granted partial resource consent by independent hearing commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka. The section between the Mount Nicholas Road bridge to, and including, the proposed Oreti suspension bridge has not been granted consent because Mr Nugent 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.

The declined section includes any proposed structures, earthworks and gravel extraction sites.

This decision follows a four-day hearing held in late April after the application was publicly notified and received more than 200 submissions, with about 100 in opposition. Opposition centred on concerns from the angling sector around loss of amenity and adverse ecological effects. In contrast, submissions of support outlined the potential economic benefits for the area and the limited impacts of the activity.

Mr Nugent was appointed by Southland District Council's regulatory department to hear the consent because Council was the applicant and so it was important the hearing was independent and unbiased. He requested some additional technical information before releasing his 126-page decision.

The applicant and any submitter can appeal the decision to the Environment Court within 15 working days from receipt of the decision.

• Decision on the Around the Mountain Cycle Trail