The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) has asked Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to contribute to an upgrade on an important local track which is the “backbone of the network”.

UCTT treasurer John Wellington told the Wānaka App the Hāwea River Track is a key track linking Hāwea, Albert Town and Wānaka.

Formed in 2009, it was built to a much lower standard than newer tracks and the section managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) has also been maintained at a “relatively low level”, he said.

John said some portions of the track - particularly the area between Camphill Road and Butterfields Reserve “really need some attention”.

When the track was first built the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi contributed to the cost “to help take some bikes off the road”.

“It was built as a commuter track from day one,” he said.

The UCTT are aiming to raise $200,000 to restore sections of the track to commuter standard and they asked QLDC to contribute $35,000 towards this at a hearing for community group funding held in Luggate earlier this month.

QLDC and DOC are each responsible for portions of the track but DOC does not have the funding for an upgrade; John said UCTT has received outline approval from DOC to restore and maintain the track for the foreseeable future. 

He told councillors at the hearing that council funding would be “crucial” to the project.

QLDC contributed $15,000 to the project in the last funding round and if it can add $35,000, that combined with a contribution from UCTT’s reserves of another $35,000 would put the UCTT in good shape to secure the remaining funding from other sources.  

“It’s a project that can happen very quickly once we have the funds,” John said. 

UCTT, a volunteer-run non-profit, was formed in 2006 and the Hāwea River Track was its first project.

Since then the UCTT has brought more than 95km of trails to fruition and it is because of the work of the trust’s volunteers that residents and visitors can now cycle or walk all the way from John Creek at Lake Hāwea through to Wānaka to Glendhu Bay or Luggate and beyond. 

At any given time it has a long list of projects and potential projects in the works as part of its goal to develop a network of walking and cycling trails all over the Upper Clutha. 

One of those projects, a walking track in Makarora, is currently receiving the finishing touches before it opens to the public.

“It’s an extension of the nature walk at the national park in Makarora,” John said. “It creates a loop track and goes through a fantastic piece of forest on the edge of the park.”

UCTT has also recently completed an “ambitious” strategic plan and it is currently looking to add a new trustee to set up and run a ‘Friends of the Trust’ supporters’ database and newsletter.

John said UCTT expects to hear back from QLDC about funding for the Hāwea River Track upgrade, as well as operational funding, at the end of June. 

Learn more about UCTT or get in touch with them here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App