RESOURCE CONSENT FOR STAGE 3 AT LAST - FUNDING NOW A PRIORITY.

The Waikato Regional Council has now granted resource consent for Stage 3 of the Trail.

The Trust has settled on a route that runs alongside the road from the Duck Creek bridge for about 200m before dropping down in the generous road reserve area. It will then pass through bush for about another 450m before turning back, through farm land, to the marginal strip by the river. It will then follow the river westwards for about 3km. The Trust is currently finalizing the design of the new Duck Creek Trail bridge and, with just a few outstanding matters to be resolved, is contemplating making a start on Stage 3 in the near future.

Trust Chairman, Gary Fowler, says many hurdles have been overcome including the numerous bureaucratic demands associated with the process. All the Trail committee  have contributed to the result but most of the credit must go to project manager, Andy Bolton (pictured) who has worked tirelessly over a very long period.

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Andy says obtaining a “non-notified” resource consent from the Waikato Regional Council has saved us a possible $80,000 in Environment Court  hearing costs. We are in the process of finalizing the necessary concession from DOC for the river margin and expect to start construction of the Trail from Duck Creek to the river in the near future. But we will not be able to commence construction of the marginal strip section by the river until early next year.

Our priority now will be given to raising the significant amount of money required to complete stage 3.