We need you!

As part of the Around The Mountain Cycle trail the developers wish to push up to 60,000 cyclists per year through the Oreti Valley in Southland, New Zealand. However this is one of New Zealands top trophy producing river valleys and aside from the angling, visitors rate highly the wild, natural and scenic environment of the upper valley through the 'walk only zone', the location of the proposed trail. 

Wether you have visited this area or wether it is on your wish list, please write a submission mentioning how you personally feel about sending bulldozers and extracting gravel from quarries to be dug in this valley, and the resulting cycle trail and proposed bridge across the most remote and untouched area, and how this may affect your desire to visit this stunning location. 

There is a perfectly viable, more cost efficient and of lesser environmentally damaging route available down through the Mararoa river valley which simply makes more sense.

The remote and natural landscape, yet with relatively easy access is one of the things that makes this river valley so appealing to trophy anglers, hunters, mountain bikers, hikers and bird watchers alike. 

Submissions close Nov 3rd and can be emailed to [email protected] in a word document following the general format of the prescribed RMA submission form ( form 13) located in the link below. Even a couple of sentences will make a difference.

Anyone can submit on this, including international interests and it's important we do so. 

Mention you are supportive of the cycle trail with the exception of the proposed route from the Mt Nicolas road bridge, down through the Oreti valley including the proposed bridge spanning the river and associated structures. There is a viable and less disruptive route available down the Mararoa with the safety of a nearby road should cyclists get into trouble.

The natural landscape of the upper Oreti valley is highly important to the amenity value of the Oreti, and aside from the world class trophy brown trout fishery, draws hikers, hunters, bird watchers and mountain bikers who appreciate the remoteness of this location, the wild and natural landscape with relative ease of access. 

Submission forms can be downloaded here...

southlanddc.govt.nz/my-southland/around-the-mountains-cycle-trail/stage-two/

Get on it! Submissions close November 3rd