Proposed Peninsula Bay Bike Track Development May 2018 BACKGROUND The area of land at the northern extreme of Wanaka's Peninsula Bay development (Lot 923 DP 501325), currently owned by Infinity Investment Group, is expected to be vested with council in May / June 2018. This follows the completion of the District Plan Change 51 process in early 2018. Bike Wanaka Inc, who submitted with regard to PC51 on behalf of the mountain bike community of Wanaka, have volunteered to coordinate the planning and development of new mountain bike tracks on the land to be vested with council. This fits with the intent of Bike Wanaka's strategic plan to develop MTB for all levels in our community.
THE AREA The area in question provides outstanding views over the lake and great opportunities to ride through open grass spaces interlinked with trails through natural kanuka stands. The area extends well into the area identified as ONL, it includes an open and elevated ridge top and a significant amount of natural vegetation. The area already has existing walking and biking tracks that feel remote and natural and are separated from the residential development of Peninsula Bay by the natural topography. The boundary of the urban development is at the base of a natural moderate slope. Tracks located further to the north, on the higher ground of this slope, would avoid proximity to the houses - ensuring privacy for residences and a pleasant experience for trail users. PERCEIVED COMMUNITY NEED The Bike Wanaka membership and committee have identified a number of biking needs that the wider community would enjoy. These needs could be well served by the area:
An easily accessible beginners cross country mountain bike track providing a mountain bike experience to all ability levels and ages. Currently, local and visiting mountain bike riders are limited to local riding that is either too steep and arduous (e.g. Sticky Forest) or too flat and busy with other users (e.g. The Outlet Track). Bike Wanaka sees a need to build an easily accessible and well signposted track that offers family, young and beginner riders an alternative. A MTB skills development area providing riders of all ability levels with a place to practice mountain bike skills in more gentle terrain than offered by Sticky Forest or Lismore Park. In addition, a need that is related to this area and could be considered at the same time is: An alternative to the existing "Scurr Heights" multi-use track - from Platinum Ridge carpark (off Forest Heights road) to Infinity Drive carpark. The current Scurr Heights Track is not a great experience for novice or young bikers due to it's steep and loose surface and poorly designed downhill sections. Additionally, the track, being multi-use and shared with walkers, runners and dogs can lead to dangerous encounters between fast riders and other users. Bike Wanaka has noted the mountain bike community's perception that the current Scurr Heights Track is not an attractive option for riding.
THE PROPOSED TRACKS Taking into account the land area that QLDC will soon control and Bike Wanaka's perceived community need, the following tracks are proposed: 1. Infinity Drive Track A 1.4km loop starting and finishing at the Infinity Drive Trailhead (carpark at eastern end of Infinity Drive). Track heads north west through both open areas of land and kanuka stands adjacent to the boundary with Infinity Drive. Track turns at Bull Ridge Trailhead (car park situated at northern end of Bull Ridge) and returns to south east behind skyline of ridge, again skirting through open areas of land and kanuka stands. Access to track will be from both trailheads, existing Infinity Drive access paths and existing walking paths in local area. The track will be a 600-800mm wide formation, using natural materials, some banked corners but mostly just gently cambered. Track will have a smooth surface, drainage features and family friendly. 2. Forest Heights Track A 1.4km loop, also starting and finishing at the Infinity Drive trailhead. Track heads south, initially up a gentle switch-backed climb within a large section of knauka between existing Scurr Heights track and the boundary with Sticky Forest. Track continues south keeping adjacent to Sticky Forest boundary until crossing Scurr Heights track at high point - crossing is placed at area of least speed for both tracks to mitigate risk of collision. Track then follows open land south to existing Platinum Ridge carpark. At carpark tracks returns to north and follows open country adjacent to boundary with Forest Heights properties. Access to the track will be from trailheads, Forest Heights access paths (x2) and Scurr Heights track. As before, track will be a 600-800mm wide formation, using natural materials, some banked corners but mostly just gently cambered. Smooth surface, drainage features and family friendly. 3. Skills Development Area After consideration of the need for a specific skills development area, the Bike Wanaka team have proposed instead to add skills development sections to the above tracks. Rationale being: 1. A single location would likely be too far from Wanaka's centre of population to be popular. 2. The tracks proposed above would become more appealing to a broader base of riders if skills sections were added. 3. Natural obstacles (such as logs, tree stumps and rocks) could be sympathetically incorporated into the track, better blending the obstacle into the surroundings.
4. Artificial obstacles (such as timber beams and ramps), which would necessary if building a stand-alone skills area could be be avoided, which better maintains the natural beauty of the area, and reduces maintenance needs. The proposed tracks are illustrated below:
TRACK PLANS (Draft May 2018)
TRACK CONCEPTUAL IMAGES
Link to virtual track walk
PLAN OF ACTION In order to secure approval and funding for these tracks the following plan of action has been discussed with Bike Wanaka committee on 7 May 18 Completed steps: 1. Initial Liaison with QLDC (Diana Mason) to brief of Bike Wanaka intentions (Completed Tim D 5 Apr) 2. Liaison with Infinity Investments to establish time frame for vesting with council (Completed Ian Greaves 16 Mar) 3. Definition of track needs (Completed - this Document - presented to BW committee on 4 Apr)) 4. Reconnaissance of track locations (Completed between 18 Apr - 1 May) Next Steps 5. Attend Wanaka Community Board workshop to brief QLDC and WCB (11am, 6 June 2018) 6. Prepare invitation for public consultation - provide public and local residents with the details of the proposed track plans, construction impact and timeframes - use combination of flyers, facebook posts and community message boards. Seek to catalogue and present feedback to public and QLDC to occur in June 2018 7. Prepare QLDC submission details to be confirmed in June 2018 8. Preparation of track building plan (to occur June 2018) Determination of track building team mix (volunteers / groups / commercial) Invitation to tender from commercial track building operations Costing of track building effort Liaison with QLDC on plans Application for grants / funding sources Ongoing track maintenance plan 9. Track building works (Aug - Sep 2018?) 10. Track commissioning work (Oct 2018?) including signage, maintenance handover, track map updates, opening event
NOTES ON COSTING / FUNDING For planning purposes, the track has been initially costed (May 2018) at $42,000 to construct using the following criteria: Assume full construction by commercial track building operator Considering land, obstacles, access for area Considering specifications for track Cost estimated at $15 per m (for 2800 m of track) Bike Wanaka historically has been able to secure amounts of volunteer labour, donations of time and material which would reduce this costing. This will be confirmed during costing phase. Bike Wanaka will also consider applications to the following funding organisations to assist with funding Trail Fund NZ Upper Clutha Link Community Fund Central Lakes Trust Otago Community Trust Lion Foundation Community Organisation Grants Scheme COGS
FURTHER QUESTIONS / CONTACT Tim David Bike Wanaka Tracks Project Coordinator timwdavid@gmail.com 021 1141237