Govt cycle 'backdown' under fire

Southern mayors have criticised the Government for what they believe is a backdown on funding for the southernmost leg of the national cycleway.

The Southland Times reported this week that national cycle trail project manager John Dunne had asked Venture Southland to look at co-funding and sponsorship for the trail, because of concerns about its estimated $11 million pricetag.

Southland district Mayor Frana Cardno hit back yesterday, saying if the council had known it would have to partly fund the trail it might not have accepted the Government's invitation to be part of the project launch.

"We were promised substantial funding from the Government as part of the prime minister's national cycleway and now we are being told to save money and find other funding," she said.

"Funding seems to be being taken away from Southland for everything. It is so frustrating."

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes said the cycle trail was on a par, in pricing, with the other cycle trails throughout New Zealand.

"It is of great concern that there is this major about-turn ... this trail is a cycle trail, not a mountainbike track," he said.

"If we do this track it cannot be done on a piecemeal and substandard basis. We don't want a second-rate product – it must not be compromised."

The 175km trail from Queenstown to Kingston via the Mavora Lakes was chosen as one of the seven "quick-start" trails in July by Prime Minister John Key.

Venture Southland has been managing the project since.

On Tuesday, Mr Dunne said the trail would be evaluated on its merits but a "portfolio of funding" rather than 100 per cent by government needed to be considered.

Mrs Cardno said there were real opportunities for savings as the contracting industry moved through the shoulder of the recession. These savings, and the contractors, may not be available next construction session, she said.

"The south is also seeing a rise in unemployment at the moment and we want to be involving youth in helping to build this trail, as per the prime minister's initiatives."

At a Southland District Council meeting yesterday, Venture Southland community development group manager Rex Capil said the Government kept "shifting the goalposts" about decision-making and time frames for the cycleway project. He had fielded a "number of concerns" from people in Northern Southland who feared the project would not go ahead.

The same issues of funding had marred the other six quick-start trails, which had come in about four to five times their initial cost.

Mr Capil said he was confident the trail would get off the ground but stressed it would not happen if Venture decided it would not be financially viable long term.

michael.forbes@stl.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News

Newest First

Oldest First