Businessman Dave Henderson withdraws cycle trail opposition after cup of coffee
From reporter Debbie Jamieson:
Plans for a spectacular link in the Queenstown to Central Otago cycle trail are proceeding after a cup of coffee led to developer Dave Henderson withdrawing his opposition.
Henderson had threatened to go to the Environment Court over a resource consent allowing the trail to be built.
In March, he said it crossed land owned by his company The Cardrona Cattle Company.
“My sole purpose was to try to sort out some of the other landowners to reduce the cost of construction and create a better experience,” he said following the resolution with the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust.
The trail no longer crossed his land but would travel past the Victoria Flats Landfill.
“It’s very close to the rubbish dump, which I didn’t think was ideal, but everybody else was comfortable with it.”
He had some concerns about reverse sensitivity too – cycle trail users complaining about existing activity and development in the area – but that had been resolved, he said.
“At the end of the day we had a cup of coffee and got it sorted.”
He would be an enthusiastic user of the trail, which would link his home to a development he was working on in the area, he said.
Former Christchurch mayor Sir Bob Parker and his wife, Lady Joanna Nicholls-Parker were shareholders in The Cardrona Cattle Company until April, this year.
The Kawarau Gorge Trail is part of a $26 million project connecting five Great Rides in the region.
It will include an underground tunnel near the Nevis Bluff and follow the Kawarau River to Bannockburn where it will connect with the widely acclaimed Lake Dunstan Trail, to Clyde.
Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust chairperson Stephen Jeffery said before construction could begin, the trust had to finalise some details – including creating a plan for managing lizards – for sections of the trail that passed through Department of Conservation Land.
It was hoped that approval would be in place in early 2023.
The complete 500km route will also require a route connecting Wānaka to Cromwell and the missing 13km on the Roxburgh Gorge Trail to be complete.
Jeffery said the network of trails would reinforce the profile of the region as a growing international cycling destination.
“We have already seen the outstanding success of the Lake Dunstan Trail and with the added investment into new trails the future looks particularly bright for cycling tourism in Central Otago.”
Earlier this week, the Queenstown Lakes District Council was awarded $11.8m in funding from the Government’s Transport Choices programme to progress trail improvements in the region.
It included $10.3m for an Arthurs Point to Queenstown route and $1.5m to look at more options for active travel links in Wānaka.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73.2% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16% Hmm, maybe?
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10.8% Yes!
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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