The Central Otago Queenstown Trail Network Trust (COQTNT), which is responsible for the strategic future of Central’s bike trails, has received funding in Central Lakes Trust’s (CLT) October funding round.

COQTNT will use the $7,500 grant to develop a vision and strategic plan to ensure the benefit of the tracks is maximised for the community and maintained into the foreseeable future.

CLT grants manager Mat Begg said it is an optimum time for the trails trust to clarify the strategic direction of the trails as it moves from constructing trails to operating them. 

COQTNT was established to build the Lake Dunstan Trail, along with a new trail from Cromwell through the Kawarau Gorge to Nevis Bluff near Queenstown and then from Cromwell to Wānaka, a total of 170km of trails.

An independent contractor will be engaged to facilitate involved stakeholders, including MBIE, Central Otago District Council (CODC), Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), Department of Conservation, Tangata Whenua, landowners, trail tour operators, Otago Community Trust (OCT), Tourism Central Otago (TCO), and Destination Queenstown to produce a formal vision and work plan for the next decade and beyond.

“For CLT this grant still remains our largest ever at $11.15M. This strategic piece of work will ensure that the COQTNT is well prepared for the future and making the most of this significant community asset,” Mat said.

The trails project is jointly funded by CLT, OCT and the government (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment) to join the Great Rides of the region.

Another grant for a Central group was $6,375 to the Alexandra based Central Otago Regional Orchestra. It will assist with the purchase of a purpose-built trailer for storing equipment.

“The trailer will give the group somewhere to store their equipment and allows the orchestra to travel more easily to various venues across the region as well as rehearse in different venues,” Mat said.

Fifteen grants in total were approved worth more than $300,000, bringing the grants approved for this financial year to $7.15M, from a grants budget of $12M.

Mat said one of CLT’s key sectors for funding is the support of projects and organisations that protect and enhance the environment in which we live.

CLT grants manager Mat Begg. PHOTO: Supplied

Along with cycling and music, CLT granted support for Wānaka’s Wao Summit,

approving over $77,000 towards the delivery of this year's event.

Programme director Monique Kelly said they were grateful for the CLT support of the six-day summit; which works to create and foster tangible social and environmental change at every level.

“The summit has grown into a nationally recognised event to stimulate action at the grassroots level.

The Wao Summit has over 45 events with 2,500 participants expected at presentations and workshops designed to inspire, educate and enable the community to build resilience to change and the environmental challenges facing them. 

CLT is a philanthropic trust and its purpose is to make a positive lasting contribution to the community by supporting charitable projects throughout Central Lakes.