Work nears on Pike mine tribute track
Construction of New Zealand’s newest Great Walk will begin by the end of the month.
Environment Minister Nick Smith announced yesterday that work would begin soon on the new $10 million Great Walk in the West Coast’s Paparoa National Park. The new walk, approved in March, will be built in memory of the 29 men who died in the 2010 Pike River mine disaster.
‘‘The start of the track construction is a major milestone in bringing to fruition the new Great Walk chosen by the Pike River Families’ Committee as an enduring memorial to their men that will bring lasting economic benefit to the West Coast,’’ Smith said.
A West Coast company and a Nelson business will work with the Department of Conservation (DOC) to build the Paparoa and Pike 29 Memorial tracks.
Another West Coast company will build the 20-bunk huts at the Moonlight Tops and Pororari sites.
Construction of the huts will begin in September.
The Paparoa Track includes 15 kilometres of existing track at the Blackball and Punakaiki ends. Another 50km of new track needs to be constructed for the Great Walk and memorial tracks.
‘‘This Great Walk will be the first to be purpose-built as a mountainbiking and walking track,’’ Smith said.
The Pike River Families’ Committee chose the name Paparoa Track for the Great Walk. A 9km track from the Paparoa Track to the Pike River mine site would be called the Pike 29 Memorial Track.
Smith said the tender process for construction of four suspension bridges was yet to be completed. DOC will build smaller bridges on the track.
Westreef Services Ltd will construct two sections of the track. At yesterday’s announcement in Blackball, Westreef general manager Stephen Lowe praised the opportunity to ‘‘employ West Coasters to be build something as a legacy for West Coasters’’.
Smith said the track was expected to open in April 2019.