Developer apologises for Lake Hayes track closure
A RETIREMENT village developer has apologised for failing to tell the Queenstown Trails Trust it was temporarily closing two public tracks in Lake Hayes Estate.
Queenstown Country Club also neglected to inform the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the suburb’s residents before fencing off the walking and cycling trails on July 14.
The twin tracks are closed between where they start in Herries Lane and where they intersect with Jones Rd and Howards Dr.
Queenstown Trails Trust chief executive Mark Williams said it was ‘‘a bit of an oversight’’, but attributed it to being the company’s first involvement with trails in the area.
‘‘I got lots of apologies on Friday, and I don’t think it will happen again.’’
The trails were ‘‘connector’’ routes to the Queenstown Trail, and most frequently used by Shotover Primary School pupils who lived in Lake Hayes Estate.
‘‘I was pretty keen to make sure parents were aware that
route was closed’’.
The company had subsequently distributed a flier in the suburb to inform residents, he said.
When the
Otago Daily
Times asked Queenstown Country Club if it regretted the omissions, spokeswoman Hilary O’Hagan said ‘‘everyone’s informed’’.
The closures were necessary to install a stormwater pipe, and the work would take between one and two months, she said.
Council communications manager Naell CrosbyRoe said it was not told about the work before it started, so it was unable to publicise the track closures or advise the Queenstown Trails Trust.
Shotover Primary School principal Ben Witheford said the company’s health and safety officer visited the school yesterday to explain the closures.
The trails were increasingly used by pupils, he said.