Heaphy Track part of national cycleway?
Plans for the creation of a nationwide cycle route, as advocated by Tourism Minister and PM John Key, are hitting closer to home by suggesting a route that would pass through Golden Bay.
Local MP Chris Auchinvole is now pushing for “the ideal track that would go from Nelson To Collingwood, down the Heaphy Track to Karamea and down the West Coast, with a circle loop back through Murchison to take advantage of the four rivers and old mining tracks up the Lyall.”
Along with asking West Coast and Tasman mayors for their support, the MP has recruited the Department of Conservation on the West Coast to draw up a map of existing forestry roads, bush tramways and mining tracks that could be used for cycle tracks, and to suggest interconnecting links.
In a recent press release, Green MP Kevin Hague said that the Greens support the work of RideStrong and a coalition of cyclist organisations and tourism operators. “Their plan is to link a number of iconic tourist rides around the country by a continuous cycleway. The rides would offer a range of exceptional, yet different off-road tourist experiences targeted at growing international and domestic demand.”
Golden Bay DOC area manager John Mason said he hadn’t heard anything about the Heaphy proposal yet, but said a partial review of the Kahurangi Management Plan would probably be out for public submissions by the end of May. “If this results in mountain bikes getting back on the Heaphy, then this idea could be a goer.”
Nothing will happen overnight, though. The two-month public submissions period will be followed by hearings before the Nelson/Marlborough Conservation Board and departmental representatives. Any changes then go to the New Zealand Conservation Authority for consideration, with final approval of any revised plan resting with the Minister of Conservation.
Says Mr Auchinvole: “There will be some controversy as we will be promoting the use of bikes on the Heaphy Track to bring people from Collingwood to Karamea, though for the most part we expect more support than criticism.” He hopes to have a basic plan ready within a month, for the upcoming visit to West Coast/Tasman by John Key.
The possibility of the Heaphy’s inclusion in a cycleway has received mixed response locally. Phil Castle of the GB Cycle and Walkway Society says the idea of a cycleway through the Bay fits in with their plans entirely. “We’re delighted that Chris Auchincvole has put his weight in behind it. Now it needs to be followed with some some positive planning action.”
However, John Etherington of Escape Bike Shop is hesitant about the proposal: “A cycleway is something quite distinct from a mountainbike trail. Sure, let’s allow mountainbikes on the Heaphy, but I reckon it should be kept as a wilderness ride.”
Gerard Hindmarsh
