Southern rail-trail to be investigated

Prime Minister John Key's vision of a national cycle trail is getting traction in Southland, with Venture Southland yesterday approving $50,000 to investigate a potential route through the region.

At this stage, the favoured route would begin in Kingston and finish in Bluff taking in Athol, Five Rivers, Lumsden, and Wallacetown along the way.

The money would be used to assess such elements as surface and infrastructure requirements, land tenure rights, signs, and the overall cost.

A business case development report would also be commissioned to determine funding and a marketing plan.

Venture Southland chief executive Jeff Troon said the prime minister's enthusiasm for such projects presented Southland with a golden opportunity.

"If we can get something going soon then we could be right up there in the queue for some serious (government) funding."

Southland District Council chief executive Dave Adamson said that since council floated the idea two months ago, it had received overwhelming support from the community, and he was keen to see it move closer to a public consultation stage.

However, Environment Southland chairman Stuart Collie said he wanted further development before public consultation, in case the committee ended up making promises it could not keep.

At yesterday's joint committee meeting, members also endorsed the approach to hold a Southland economic forum on May 21.

Mr Troon said the forum would cater for about 450 people and feature presentations from prominent economist Kel Sanderson and Ag Research chief executive Andy West.

A venue has yet to be confirmed.

- © Fairfax NZ News