Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Wet weather slip causes issues on Paparoa Track


Media release

19 November 2019

The official opening of the new Paparoa Track will go ahead as planned with a special ceremony in Blackball on Saturday 30 November 2019 despite a slip closing the middle section of the track.

The track will be partially open from 1 December 2019 for walkers and bikers who have already booked, but a difficult to fix slip means the middle section of the track will be closed until repairs can be made.

The aim is to have the track fully open on 22 December 2019 however that will depend on the weather.

Department of Conservation, Western South Island Operations Director, Mark Davies says that while it is disappointing not to have the full track available, wild weather causing slips on tracks is relatively common across the West Coast especially in spring.

“We are regularly undertaking repair work to tracks and structures on walks throughout New Zealand. It is just bad luck that we’ve had this happen right before opening.”

“We have 944 people booked with 177 groups on the Paparoa Track during December. We are giving all of them a full refund while offering them the opportunity to walk or cycle part of the track at either end. This recognises the cost and inconvenience they face because of the disruption.

For those already booked, the track will be open from both ends for overnight trips into either the Moonlight Tops or Pororari Huts.

“DOC appreciates that for some visitors it may be difficult to change their travel plans at this late stage, so we wanted to enable them to experience some of New Zealand’s newest Great Walk,” says Mark Davies.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

DOC booking services staff will be in touch directly with those who have booked to make alternative arrangements.

A Geotech inspection has confirmed that the track has slumped down to bedrock. The section of affected track is 20m long, and due to its location on a very steep side slope it will be difficult to fix – requiring re-benching and re-surfacing.

A community celebration with Ngati Waewae, Pike River Families, DOC staff, contracting teams and the public will be held in Blackball on the 30th of November before the first walkers and bikers begin using the partial track on 1 December.

The opening of the $12 million track, where work began in 2017, has been eagerly awaited by walkers and mountain bikers keen to explore this previously little known part of New Zealand located just north of Greymouth on the South Island West Coast.

The Track has been built by DOC on behalf of the NZ Government at the request of the Pike River families. The project was created as a thank you from the families to provide a lasting economic benefit to the West Coast, and as a tribute to the 29 miners who died in the 2010 Pike River Mine Disaster.

The Track is 55 Kilometres long, and required 41km of new track to be built, as well as 4 major suspension bridges and two new 20 bunk huts with hut warden quarters.

The track traverses from Blackball on the eastern side of the Paparoa Range over the ranges through Paparoa National Park and to Punakaiki. Once fully open, walkers will take three days to experience the track, while mountain bikers can complete it in two.

The Paparoa Track is largely fully booked throughout the Great Walk season, with up to 77 groups booked per week.

–Ends–

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.