6 May 2015

New section of walkway and cycle trail to open

A major section of the walkway and cycle trail connecting Invercargill and Bluff will be officially opened on Friday (8 May).

The section connects the existing trail which ended in Lake Street (near the Invercargill City Council Wastewater Treatment Plant) to Kekeno Place at Awarua.

Environment Southland director of operations and environmental information Warren Tuckey said the additional trail covers more than 7km, with some stunning outlooks and changing environments.

The trail largely follows the existing estuary tide banks and includes the construction of two new bridges over Duck Creek and the Mokotua Stream.

Mr Tuckey said the trail, which links to the Waihopai Walkway and Estuary Boardwalk, gives people an opportunity to get out in the environment and it is registered as a grade one trail, meaning it is mostly flat and suitable for families.

“This was always about providing an option families could really enjoy and the trail is now a huge community asset.

“The idea is that these trails will provide the backbone and other community projects will branch off it.”

The $450,000 project has been a joint effort, with a substantial amount of funding coming from the Te Araroa Trails Trust, with additional support from the Community Trust of Southland, the ILT Foundation, the Invercargill City Council and Environment Southland.

Mr Tuckey said the project team was very impressed with the support and co-operation of the landowners, Jack Hoogeveen and his family, who worked closely with Environment Southland.

Construction works for the Invercargill-Bluff walkway and cycle trail commenced in 2010, with sections of the walkway being completed as funding becomes available, until it reaches Bluff.

It is likely the next section will begin at Bluff and work its way back towards the existing trail until eventually they form a complete link between Invercargill and Bluff.

Environment Southland chairman Ali Timms will officially open the trail section on Friday at the Duck Creek Bridge site.

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