Massive cycle trail confirmed

The Government has confirmed a

$13 million contribution towards a Queenstown-Central Otago cycle trail that is expected to create 329 full-time jobs.

Central Otago Queenstown Trails Steering Trust steering group chairman Stephen Jeffery welcomed the money and said it assured the future of the $26m project.

The funding was promised by then-Prime Minister John Key in

2016 but only confirmed this week after a business case had been prepared and analysed.

Once the 122km of new trails is complete there will be a

530-kilometre continuous cycle trail network across the Otago region between Queenstown, Wanaka, Cromwell, Alexandra and Roxburgh.

Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said the trail was part of the proposed extension of Nga¯ Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail, which will connect four existing Great Rides and link 30 communities. It is estimated the number of people riding the trail will more than double to 174,000 by 2032 and the average length of time trail users stay in the area will increase by 33 per cent.

The Kawarau Gorge section, between Queenstown and Cromwell, would be the next focus of the project at a cost of $4m.

The other sections were a link in the Roxburgh Gorge to complete the existing track ($2.3m), a crossing on the old bridge in Alexandra ($1m) and a trail from Wanaka to Cromwell ($2.3m).