A long-awaited upgrade for Hāwea’s popular Gladstone Track breaks ground this month and should be complete by February.

Initially the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) fundraised to upgrade the section of the track from Muir Road to John Creek, but more recently that was “rolled in” with council’s maintenance plans for the rest of the track, UCTT member and community board member John Wellington said.

The result will be “substantial improvement to a beautiful track along the Hāwea foreshore,” John said.

The Gladstone Track runs from the Hāwea Dam to John Creek.

The John Creek to Muir Road section was built to a very simple standard and it will benefit most from a substantial upgrade to bring it up to an all-seasons standard.

It has stunning views across Lake Hāwea and the conveniently located track is very popular with a wide range of users, from families with buggies to cyclists and runners. 

It also forms part of the Te Araroa Trail which runs the length of the country. 

Substantial work is taking place at the Muir Road to John Creek section, John said.

The scenic track runs along the terraces above Lake Hāwea from the town to John Creek.

“It was built to a very simple standard when it was constructed. With the amount of use it was getting and with substantial erosion the surface wasn’t coping in winter.”

The upgrade will bring the 3.7km section of track to an all-seasons standard with widening of the existing trail and resurfacing, drainage improvements, culvert replacement, vegetation trimming and some signage installation.

Once complete, it will be 2.2 to 2.5 metres wide depending on the section, making it accessible for all users. 

The rest of the track, from Muir Road to the Hāwea Dam, will benefit from sub-grade reshaping and trail surfacing. 

A simpler maintenance upgrade will take place between the Hāwea Dam and Muir Road. 

QLDC staff are managing the work, which begins this month with a close-down period over Christmas to reduce trail user disruption.

Some detours and stop/go operations may be in place during parts of the upgrade period. 

PHOTOS: Supplied