Central’s trail users are being called on to complete a survey to ensure the district’s ‘great rides’ get the funding they need in the future. 

The Roxburgh Gorge, Clutha Gold, Lake Dunstan and Otago Central Rail trails each rely on funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to help keep the popular tracks maintained.

Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails manager Shayne O’Connor said while the survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, it was a simple act in return for what was a free facility many locals and visitors to the district enjoy.

“You don’t have to pay anything, but we’d love you to give us 10 minutes of your time,” he said.

The surveys are connected to key performance indicators (KPI).

“We have to get a minimum of 300 surveys each year, per trail,” Shayne said.

“As long as we hit our KPI, MBIE will consider our funding application to do maintenance projects on the trails.”

In April, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail had a great response to the survey with 307 completed, and it was hoped that momentum would continue, despite the cooler months and off-season.

Shayne said anyone who uses the trails was encouraged to complete the survey every time they use one of them, including young families who only do a short section.

The survey is accessible in a variety of ways, including via a QR code on trail maps and a QR code at various locations along each trail, often near interpretation panels.

Trail providers can also supply the QR codes, or people can access the links via the various trail websites.

Shayne said the information that comes back also provides a valuable insight into the demographics who use the trails, how much money is being spent domestically and where people doing the trails are from.

Click to complete the survey for Clutha Gold, Roxburgh Gorge, Lake Dunstan, or Otago Central Rail Trail to ensure maintenance of the district's four 'great rides' can continue.

To learn more about the many trails across Central, click on The Central App's Cycling l Walking button.