Thursday 20 October 2016

Te Apiti - Manawatu Gorge walking track slip

A slip at the eastern end of the popular Te Apiti - Manawatu Gorge 10km walking track during September has resulted in a section being closed for site works over the next few months.

Department of Conservation Operations Manager Manawatu Allanah Irvine says that while it’s unfortunate the slip has occurred just before the busy summer season, alternative tracks are still open for enjoyment, including the popular loop tracks at both ends of the Manawatu Gorge.

“DOC engineers have assessed the slip and advise the ground is very unstable. We are currently working on mapping a re-route as a priority piece of work,” says Ms Irvine.

“However, due to the tricky terrain and the need to ensure cultural and biodiversity values are appropriately protected, the work may take three to six months to complete.

In February this year track count figures showed the number of people walking the Te Apti – Manawatu Gorge tracks had increased by nearly 20 per cent over the past year.

Track count figures for twelve months ending in February show the main increase was for the short walks with a 25 per cent increase from 47,000 to almost 59,000. The number of people undertaking the full 10km Manawatu Gorge Track has remained steady at just over 10,000.

Ms Irvine says other walking tracks, all suited to different fitness abilities, still open people can continue to take advantage of what the Gorge has to offer.
“DOC will continue to work on the 10km track slip section as a priority, as we are conscious that the track closure may impact on some summer use and business.

DOC is part of the Manawatu Gorge Biodiversity Project alongside partners Horizons Regional Council, Tararua District Council, Palmerston North City Council (PNCC), NZTA, KiwiRail, local iwi and landowners. With inkind support from the Central Economic Development Agency together the partners are working to preserve, sustain and enhance the biodiversity, scenic and recreational values of this truly unique scenic reserve.

In September 2016 the Te Apiti Manawatu Gorge Governance Group was also formed. Membership includes the chair of Horizons Regional Council, the mayors of PNCC, Tararua and Manawatu District Councils, iwi and community representatives, and DOC. The Governance Group’s focus is to implement a 10 year vision for the project, secure finances and put in places further systems to effectively resource and deliver the cope of the biodiversity project and its work programme, and increase stakeholder awareness and connectedness with the Manawatu Gorge.

Ends

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