Govt may balk at full funding of cycle trail

The Government looks unlikely to fund the full estimated $11 million cost of the "Around the Mountain" cycle trail, despite councils stating they have no money to plug the gap.

The 175km trail from Queenstown to Kingston via the Mavora Lakes was chosen as one of the seven "quick-start" trails in July to be built in New Zealand, from a $50m cycleway fund.

National cycle trail project manager John Dunn said he had asked Venture Southland to look at ways to save money and options for co-funding and sponsorship.

He would not confirm that the Government would not fund the entire project, but said he was sure they wanted more than four big tracks for their money.

"I don't want to say yes or no on that (but) it would be fair to say that the quantum amount for that track is substantial ... it's a very large portion of a $50m fund."

The trail would be evaluated on its merits but a "portfolio of funding" rather than 100 per cent by Government needed to be considered, he said.

Venture Southland community development and events group manager Rex Capil said he had no idea how much the Government would contribute to the project but it would be silly to trim costs.

If done right, the trail would become the "Milford track of cycle trails".

A cheaper sub-standard product would be a waste of time, he said.

If the Government did not fund the entire project other sources would be looked at and the Community Trust of Southland would be an obvious partner, Mr Capil said.

A final route definition and business case was almost finished and a report would be sent to the Tourism Ministry in early December, he said.

Southland district councillor John Douglas, who met a group of Tourism Ministry officials in Mossburn on Friday, said they had been impressed with the proposed route but were "obviously concerned" at the $11m price tag.

The council was optimistic the Government would still fund 100 per cent of the project but some local input may be needed, he said.

Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said they had been quite clear with Government that they were unable to fund any shortfall for the cycle trail.

"If you're going to do something, you've got to do it properly," she said.

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