Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway

Welcome

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The Clutha Mata-Au River is New Zealand's largest river. It carves 338 km from the Southern Alps to the Pacific Ocean, traversing the semi-desert heartland of Central Otago.

The extraordinary qualities of the Clutha Mata-Au place it among the great rivers of the world. It ranks in the world's top ten swiftest rivers, and its clear turquoise-tinted waters - the result of glacial and snow-melt filtering by upland lakes, are a global rarety.

The Clutha Mata-Au is also known for its spectacular riverscapes, its unique ecological, recreational and tourism values, and its Maori, pioneer and gold-rush history. By many criteria it is a national treasure.

Unfortunately, the Clutha Mata-Au is threatened by further "Think Big" dams. It is also being degraded by subdivision developments, reduced recreational access, loss of farmland and open spaces, declining water quality and ecosystem integrity, and ever-increasing abstraction.

The many serious issues facing the Clutha Mata-Au River corridor need to be addressed collectively and consistently from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific Ocean.

The mission of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway project is to protect and improve the Clutha Mata-Au by establishing New Zealand's largest river park, including a river-length Mighty Clutha River Trail.

The river park and trail will bring significant long-term economic benefits to the river communities and the region.

The Parkway Group is an umbrella organisation assisting local trail-focused community groups such as the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, the Roxburgh Gorge Trail Trust, and the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust. Our membership consists of river corridor stakeholders.

The Clutha Mata-Au River towns and communities include Wanaka, Luggate, Cromwell, Clyde, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Miller's Flat, Beaumont, Tuapeka, Clydevale, Balclutha and Kaitangata.

We are working to create New Zealand's largest river park, and we welcome your support and involvement.

"Nothing, perhaps not even climate change, will matter more to humanity's future on this planet over the next century than the fate of our rivers." ~ Fred Pearce, When the Rivers Run Dry.

Parkway Group

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The Parkway Group serves as the umbrella body for trail focused groups along the Clutha Mata-Au. We are working with community groups including the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, and the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, to advance the river-length trail.

The Mighty Clutha River Trail is part of our larger river parkway project.

Timeline
The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway proposal was released on January 30th, 2003. Initial consultation included the following Councils, organizations and groups:

The Otago Regional Council
The Queenstown Lakes District Council
The Central Otago District Council
The Clutha District Council
The Department of Conservation
Land Information New Zealand
The Otago Conservation Board
The Otago Fish and Game Council
The Guardians of Lake Wanaka
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, Upper Clutha
The Upper Clutha Environmental Society
The Clutha Fisheries Trust
The Historic Places Trust
Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and Kai Tahu ki Otago
Contact Energy
The Upper Clutha River Guardians

The majority of the above expressed support for the river parkway and trail in principle. The Department of Conservation determined that the river parkway and trail project is consistent with the Otago Conservation Strategy, 1998.

A Clutha River Parkway Steering Group was formed in October 2003. The Steering Group is an Incorporated Society with Charitable and Donee Status. The Steering Group contracted a leading multi-disciplinary consultancy, GHD Ltd, from mid 2004 to late 2007, to oversee the first phase of the project. This included a series of consultation meetings in towns and communities along the river, liaising with stakeholders and landowners via a landowner database, and a river corridor Landscape Study to define the 'Parkway', examine degradation issues, collate inventories, and identify mechanisms to protect and enhance the natural, recreational and cultural values of the corridor.

Project Work Completed:

A river-length Landscape Study.
A river-length Heritage Study.
A river-length Ecological Study.
Recreation Study, defining the potential of the Parkway and Trail.
Statutory Report, examining appropriate and effective statutory protection mechanisms.
Clutha River Trail Establishment Plan.
Landowner Database.
Promotion of stakeholder participation in the Steering Group, which in the long-term may form the nucleus of a statutory Parkway Authority, Trust or Commission.
Research into further funding and completion of grant applications.
Identification of projects and initiatives that will involve the community in the Parkway, such as trail development, ecological restoration, historic site restoration, access and trail improvement, eco tourism and heritage tourism opportunities, outdoor education/school programmes, and multi-sport events.
Promotion of stakeholder and public participation at all levels.
Overseeing of contracts and budgets approved by the Steering Group.
Management of media releases.

The Ministry for the Environment supported the first phase of the project through the Sustainable Management Fund. The Central Lakes Trust and Lotteries also funded the first phase, which focused on foundation studies such as Landscape, Heritage and Ecological Studies. The Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Central Otago District Council are assisting directly, and are liaising with the Clutha District Council, and the Otago Regional Council.

In April 2009, Contact Energy proposed major hydro dam development, threatening the Parkway project.

In October 2009, the Parkway Group facilitated the formation of the Clutha River Forum, an alliance of river and conservation groups opposed to further "think big" dams on the Clutha Mata-Au River. The Forum launched the 'Option 5 - No More Dams' campaign.

Summary
The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway is a nationally important conservation project in response to extreme development pressure, along the entire river.

The second phase of the project is focused on the development of the Mighty Clutha River Trail.

Trail work and consultation is ongoing, and new community groups (Clutha Gold Trail Trust, Upper Clutha River Guardians) have joined the Parkway Group.

The Parkway Group will continue to expand its stakeholder base.

Our work:

Development of the Mighty Clutha River Trail
Integrated governance and planning
Advocacy for river corridor protection
Native conservation and restoration
Historic site preservation and restoration
Education and research
Sustainable recreation and tourism

The Clutha River Parkway Newsgroup has over 250 members, including all known stakeholders. Feedback from the newsgroup indicates enthusiastic interest and support.

Become a Friend of the Clutha River Parkway and receive updates on progress.

Join Our Friends Group

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'Friends of the Clutha Parkway'
As a 'Friend' you can help us create New Zealand's largest river park, and the Mighty Clutha River Trail. It's easy to become a friend. Simply complete our 'Friends Membership Form' and post it to us. You can be a free Friend or a paid Friend. We'll send you updates on progress.

You can make a difference
By becoming a Friend, or by making an online donation, you can help make the river trail and park a reality. We appreciate every dollar raised, and we genuinely appreciate when someone takes a few minutes of their time to take action. We believe that a few passionate people can make a real difference.

What the money is for
The advancement of trail linkages between the towns and communities along the river as part of the Mighty Clutha River Trail from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific.

The promotion of stakeholder participation, with the aim of including all stakeholders in the Parkway Group. In the longer-term this Group may form the nucleus of an integrated management body.

The preparation of variations/amendments to the respective District Plans, to establish a Clutha Corridor Landscape (CCL) zone or esplanade reserve, or similar, to give some surety to the multi-million dollar trail investment.

The collation of river corridor inventories and resources from statutory and non-statutory bodies, to form a Draft Parkway Management Plan.

On-going advocacy work for the protection and conservation of the Clutha Mata-Au River corridor.

Projects such as public access maintenance and improvement, invasive species control and ecological restoration, historic site restoration, heritage and eco tourism projects, protection of water quality, education and bio-diversity study projects, and more.

Click this link for our 'Friends Membership Form'

Our Vision

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Why a river parkway and trail?
The Clutha Mata-Au is a world-class river and a major regional and national asset. Unfortunately, it is threatened by further hydro dams and is being quickly degraded by subdivision developments, reduced recreational access, loss of farmland and open spaces, habitat damage, invasive species, ever-increasing water extraction, and so on. Degradation will continue unless we act soon to better protect this environment for the benefit of all.

The many issues facing the Clutha Mata-Au River corridor need to be addressed collectively and consistently from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific Ocean. At present, this is not possible because there is no integrated management of the river corridor. There is no single river corridor designation or zone, and there is no integrated management body.

Our vision is
To protect and improve the natural, recreational, and cultural values of the Clutha Mata-Au River environment within the river corridor, from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific Ocean, by establishing a Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway and Trail, with an integrated management 'Body' to safeguard the public interest with a long-term vision.

Mighty Clutha River Trail

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Historically, the Clutha River corridor has provided an access way into the heartland of Otago. Maori Moa-hunters and greenstone traders, and thousands of gold-miners, have followed the 'Maori Track' inland. The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group has envisioned re-establishing this river trail for recreation and tourism, as part of the Parkway Project.

The Mighty Clutha River Trail, 338kms from Lake Wanaka to the Pacific, is in various stages of development. Some sections already exist, while significant linkages are being investigated, planned and built by community trail groups, who are the key to the long-term success of their respective trails. The Parkway Group serves as an umbrella organisation, providing a framework for cooperation, and a vision for a contiguous trail and river park.

The following is a summary of the trail sections:

Lake Wanaka Outlet - Albert Town
Following the first section of the Clutha, this track is popular with both mountain-bikers and walkers. It accesses some of the area’s best fly-fishing and offers beautiful views. Dean's Rapid, near the beginning of the track, marks the beginning of the swift Clutha Mata-Au - New Zealand's largest river.
Status: Open
Length: 2.5 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: All users

Albert Town - Luggate
From Albert Town, this track crosses the Cardona River at 'Pawson's Crossing', traverses the lower slopes of Halliday's Bluff, and follows river escarpments to Reko's Point Conservation Area, where the Upper Clutha Mata-Au negotiates a series of unusually swift ox-bows known as the 'Snake'. Much of this trail affords spectacular views of the river, including views of the distinctive ancient glacial terrace flights - on both sides of the Clutha Mata-Au, that define the river basin. The last leg of the trail follows an escarpment overlooking the 'Pioneer Rapid', before turning toward Luggate and ending at the Shortcut Road carpark. A native restoration project is underway in this area around the carpark and trail.
Status: Open
Local Group: Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Length: 14.3 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Luggate - Devil's Nook
A short track from the Shortcut Road carpark - near the Luggate Red Bridge, to the Devil's Nook, linking to the Luggate township via the Luggate Creek. This track will follow the river terrace to the infamous Devil's Nook switchback (a remarkably rare river feature), with excellent views of the 'Nook'.
Status: Construction expected November 2010.
Local Group: Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Length: 1.5 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Devil's Nook - Maori Point
This track will incorporate some original gold-dredge bullock haul tracks cut with pick and shovel around 1900. Some 5 km from the Devil's Nook, at Sandy Point, the track will pass from the Queenstown Lakes District into the Central Otago District.
Status: Investigations in progress
Local Group: Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Length: 16.5 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Maori Point - Cromwell
With access at Queensberry, this track will intially follow the Maori Gorge as it turns SE toward the Lindis Crossing (where the Lindis River enters the Clutha). Below the Lindis confluence, the track follows river terraces to the shores of Lake Dunstan (Dunstan Reservoir) en route to Cromwell.
Status: Investigations in progress
Local Group: Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Length: 32.1 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Cromwell - Bannockburn
From the shores of Lake Dunstan (Dunstan Reservoir), the track continues along the edge of the water, under the Deadman's Point bridge, beside Old Cromwell, and onward to Bannockburn.
Status: Open
Length: 5 km
Suitable: Walking, biking, wheelchair
Ability Level: All users

Cromwell - Clyde
Along the true right of the Cromwell (Dunstan) Gorge, this track will make use of the historic Dunstan gold-mining track, although some sections - flooded behind the Clyde dam, will need to be re-built. A route over the steep Cairnmuir already exists, but the new trail will follow the gorge and be suitable for biking.
Status: Investigations in progress
Local Group: Upper Clutha Tracks Trust
Length: 14.6 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Clyde - Alexandra
This very popular track begins at the Clyde Bridge and passes the Earnscleugh Tailings Historic Reserve en route to the Alexandra Bridge.
Status: Open
Length: 7.5 km
Suitable: Walking, biking, wheelchair
Ability Level: All users

Alexandra - Roxburgh Village
The Roxburgh Gorge Trail will follow the true right of the gorge, traversing rugged terrain overlooking one of the most spectacular and remote gorges in Otago. The route will incorporate some of the historic gold-mining tracks once used to access mining sites, stone dwellings and gold-dredges. Estimated to cost $3.3m the trail will be partially funded by the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project.
Status: Construction expected in 2012
Local Group: Roxburgh Gorge Trail Trust
Length: 34 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Roxburgh Village - Beaumont
The Clutha Gold Trail will start at the Roxburgh Hydro Village, follow the true left to Beaumont, and then continue to Lawrence. Once beyond Miller's Flat, the trail will make use of the former railway bed, which will provide an excellent surface for biking. The track will pass the Lonely Graves, a notable historic site. Estimated to cost $5m, this trail has been granted $2.54m from the New Zealand Cycle Trail Project.
Status: Construction expected to begin mid 2011
Local Group: Clutha Gold Trail Trust
Length: 54 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Beaumont - Tuapeka Punt
From Beaumont, the trail route follows the true left entering the Rongahere Gorge, the only section of the Clutha Mata-Au River that still retains its rare mixed beech forest, virtually unchanged in 12,000 years, and a nationally important refuge for threatened native species. The trail route passes Birch Island / Moa Nui Reserve, an ecological 'Noah's Ark' covering seven hectares, which became a protected area under the Conservation Act in 2001. Arriving at the Tuapeka Punt, trail users will cross the river on the historic punt to continue on the true right to Clydevale. There is also a proposal for a loop track linking back to Lawrence along the Tuapeka River.
Status: Investigations in progress
Local Groups: Clutha Gold Trail Trust, Beaumont Residents Group
Length: 26 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Tuapeka Punt - Clydevale
The trail route crosses via the historic Tuapeka punt to the true right, and continues along narrow alluvial terraces that are almost continuous on the right bank between Tuapeka Mouth and the Pomahaka River – a major tributary beyond Clydevale.
Status: Proposed
Local Group: Pending
Length: 11 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

Clydevale - Balclutha
This section will link with the existing Blair Athol Walkway/Bike Track that begins at Naish Park, Balclutha, on the true right. From Clydevale, the route follows alluvial terraces to the Pomahaka River confluence, after which hard rock downland slopes directly adjoin the river in many places. Just above Balclutha the valley widens again and the river is entrenched in wide terraces formed within bends of the river. The Blair Athol section currently extends 11 km upriver, through bush and gullies with excellent river views. Work is progressing to extend this track to Kaihiku Stream Falls.
Status: Open from Baclutha 11 km, with more in progress. Balance to Clydevale proposed.
Local Group: Blair Athol Walkway and Bike Track Group
Length: 27 km
Suitable: Walking, biking
Ability Level: Average

(Below info to be added)

Balclutha - Kaitangata

Kaitangata - Pacific Ocean (Molyneux Bay)

Download a map of the Mighty Clutha River Trail (1.9MB)

Make A Donation

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The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway is a not-for-profit organisation with Charitable and Donee Status. We rely on donations, membership subscriptions, grants and bequests to carry out our river conservation work.

No amount is too small - any donation is appreciated - thank you!

Credit Card / Online
Click the button below to be taken to the Give A Little website where you can securely make an online donation. You can donate using your Visa or Mastercard.

Send a cheque to:
Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group
PO Box 124
Wanaka 9343
New Zealand
Please ensure you include your name and address if you would like to receive a donation receipt.

Make a direct credit
If you would like to deposit money directly into our bank account, please use these details:
Account Name: Clutha River Parkway Steering Group
Account Number: 02-0673-0067146-097
Please send an e-mail to donate@cmrp.org.nz if you would like to receive a donation receipt.

Parkway Gallery

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Ecology

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Otago is a region with unique ecological environments, in New Zealand and the world. Changing climate zones span changing landscapes from the Alpine Divide to the Pacific Ocean. Central Otago, in its own right, is a region that stands apart, having conditions supporting plants and animals that are found nowhere else on earth.

Central Otago is a semi-desert, with extreme seasonality and diverse landscapes. Outwardly, the region appears barren, however on closer inspection this harsh environment is teeming with as much bio-diversity as a forest - but on a much smaller scale. Many of these species are endemic to Otago. Some are only found in isolated areas of Central Otago, which could be described as a landscape sprinkled with ecological 'islands.' Climate and geography drive this diversity.

Midst this unusual landscape flows one of the most extraordinary rivers on the planet, the Clutha. Ranked among the swiftest rivers in the world, it has perhaps the rarest water type of any river. The Clutha's distinctive, clear turquoise waters are derived from cloudy glacial and snow-melt waters filtered in upland lakes - a particularly rare event world-wide. The Clutha is the highest volume river in New Zealand, and remarkably, it flows through the driest region of the country.

The Clutha River corridor is, effectively, an ecological corridor traversing the entire climate spectrum of Otago. Every section of the Clutha River corridor reflects a specialised set of conditions, and many of the species within each section are adapted specifically to that section, and are often isolated there.

Two of these ecologically unique river environments are the Rongahere Gorge, and the Upper Clutha glacial terrace corridor. Both are threatened by Contact Energy dams.

Rongahere Gorge

Rongahere Gorge, photo Dr Barrie Wills

The Rongahere forest type is rare in the east of the South Island. It is the only such forest along the Clutha River corridor, and it has remained virtually unchanged for 12,000 years. A mix of Mountain, Red and Silver Beech grows on the alluvial terraces of the valley floor, interspersed with Kahikatea and Matai. The forest understorey includes small-leaved Caprosma colensoi, C. rotundafolia, Rohutu Neomyrtus pedunculata, numerous ferns and several sedges. Wineberry Aristotelia serrata, Pepper tree Psuedowinteria colorata, Marbleleaf Carpodetus serratus, and Kotukutuku Fuschia escorticata are abundant on streamsides or in gaps in the forest canopy. The rare riparium forest shrub Teucridium parvifolium is also found in the Rongahere at its southern limit.

The below photos of forest species were taken in the Rongahere Gorge along the Clutha River. All of this forest is threatened by the proposed Tuapeka dam.

Rongahere Gorge Mixed Beech Forest

Mature Mountain Beech

Mountain Beech canopy

Pseudowintera Colorata

Fuchsia Perscandens Vine

Fuchsia Perscandens flowers

Rubus Cissioides flowers

Clematis Paniculata

Birch Island / Moa Nui

Birch Island / Moa Nui Reserve

Birch Island / Moa Nui is an ecological 'Noah's Ark' in the Upper Rongahere Gorge. This 1km long island, covering seven hectares, became a protected area under the Conservation Act in 2001. The Otago Conservation Board unanimously called for Birch Island to be given reserve status as early as 1994. The Department of Conservation began a long and complex process of securing protection after Contact Energy announced in 1996 that it had deferred development plans indefinitely. But the land still remained without protection when the National Party lost power in the 1999 election. The Otago Conservation Board strongly supported Birch Island being brought under the Conservation Act, and Land Information New Zealand also supported the change.

Protection status was awarded primarily because Birch Island has a nationally significant population of invertebrates, surviving in their isolated refuge, ostensibly because the island has remained predator free. In 1995, scientists investigating the invertebrate fauna on the island discovered several new species, including a Peripatus, a genus of Onychophoran. The Onychophora is an animal somewhat like a permanent caterpillar, part insect and worm. They have been suggested as warranting priority for conservation owing to their status as living fossils, being unchanged in 570 million years. Due to their predatory nature they also have potential as an indicator species in the assessment of biodiversity. Scientists also discovered unusual beetles, moths, snails and springtails. Birch Island has what is considered to be the most intact ecosystem of its kind in New Zealand.

Endangered Native Birds
The Rongahere native river corridor is home to some of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered native birds, including important populations of Karearea / NZ Falcon, South Island Robin, Yellow-Crested Parakeet / Karariki, and Mohua / Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala).

Karearea / NZ Falcon, photo Craig McKenzie

Sightings of Karearea in the Rongahere confirm that the gorge is a favoured habitat for this highly endangered bird. There are no comprehensive figures for the number of Karearea surviving today, though Wingspan estimates no more than 1500 pairs in total. Although they have been fully protected for over 30 years their numbers are still so critically low that they are classified as a 'threatened' species - the second highest conservation priority. Karearea appear on the NZ Twenty Dollar note, but are disappearing from our environment.

South Island Robin, photo Craig McKenzie

Yellow-Crowned Parakeet / Karariki, photo Ian McHenry

Yellowhead / Mohua

The Mohua / Yellowhead is also known as the bush canary because it has a delightful song of rich flute notes. A hole nester, they are especially vulnerable to rats and stoats. There are a very few places where Mohua persist on the mainland. Many people believe that Contact Energy should be sponsoring the protection of endangered species like the Mohua, not threatening their habitat.

The entire Rongahere Gorge would be lost if a dam was built at Tuapeka Mouth, destroying this unique ecological treasure forever.

Upper Clutha Corridor
Contact Energy states a preference for further dams on rivers “already modified” by dams, but this is particularly untrue of the Upper Clutha River, which is one of the most unspoiled, and least modified large wild and scenic rivers in New Zealand. It has characteristics that can rightly be claimed as unique in the world. It ranks among the swiftest of rivers anywhere, and it’s distinctive, clear turquoise waters are produced by a highly rare upland lake filtering process, decidedly atypical of glacial rivers which are normally discoloured to some degree by blue-grey rock flour.

Turquoise waters of the Upper Clutha

Other extraordinary features of the Upper Clutha River include a series of swift water ox-bows called the “Snake” in the first reaches – ox-bows are normally gently-flowing lower reach meanders, and a high volume switchback known as the “Devil’s Nook” at Luggate – one of the world’s rarest hydrological river features.

The Devil's Nook, photo Arno Gasteiger

The glacial terrace flights of the Upper Clutha River corridor also rate among the best such examples in New Zealand, and when we look more closely we find a range of unusual plants and invertebrate animals, signifying that this river environment is different from anywhere else.

The Upper Clutha River corridor is home to many important plant populations, including pillow native daphne (Pimelea pulvinaris), desert broom (Carmichaelia petriei), cushions (Raoulia), heath plants such as Leucopogon muscosus, and in more sheltered areas yellow-flowered Corokia cotoneaster, and the tree daisy Olearia odorata. Among the many native insects in the Upper Clutha, beetles are prominent. At least two are found only in the valley, including an undescribed chrysomelid in the genus Allocharis.

Rare Pimelea Pulvinaris

So important are these species that a 165 hectare Scientific Reserve has been proposed at Long Gully Flat on the true left of the river above the Maori Gorge between Luggate and Queensberry.

Numerous gold-rush era heritage sites are found along the upper and lower river. The newly established Reko’s Point Conservation Area beside the river near Luggate is an example of one such site, but many more remain virtually untouched.

Reko's Point Conservation Area in the 'Snake'

Community Groups

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Upper Clutha Tracks Trust

The UCTT was set up in 2005 with the assistance of the Queenstown Lakes District Council, and was chaired enthusiastically by John Pawson until his untimely loss in August 2008. John was a founding member of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group helping to drive the vision of the Mighty Clutha River Trail. The UCTT, working with the QLDC, DoC, and other agencies, continues to plan and build popular tracks in the region, including substantial sections of the trail along the true right of the Clutha Mata-Au River. http://www.uppercluthatrackstrust.org.nz/

Members of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, Parkway Group, Clutha Gold Trail Trust and DoC, scouting the route for the Albert Town to Luggate track in May, 2007. John Pawson, as always, out in front.

Upper Clutha River Guardians

The UCRG's were formed in 2009 to protect and conserve the wild Upper Clutha River, including all its natural, recreational and heritage values, by preventing hydro-electric dam development, and by acting as guardians of the Upper Clutha River environment. The UCRG is also dedicated to working with other river and conservation groups focused on protecting the Clutha Mata-Au. http://www.ucrg.org.nz/

Clutha Gold Trail Trust

The driving force for trails along the Lower Clutha, the CGTT is based in Roxburgh and is planning a trail from the Roxburgh Hydro Village to Lawrence. Chairperson Rod Peirce is on the Executive Committee of the Parkway Group, and is also the Group's Trail Liaison Officer for the Lower Clutha. The Gold Trail Trust is well placed to liaise with other community groups involved in trail development. The Clutha Gold Trail represents a major section of the future contigious trail from Wanaka to the Pacific. The CGTT is also working with the Beaumont Resident's Group and others, investigating and planning the trail that will follow the Clutha River down the true left of the bush-lined Rongahere Gorge to Tuapeka Mouth, and beyond.

Bill Dacker (left) of the Beaumont Residents Group, and Rod Peirce (right) Chair of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, scouting a track route through the Rongahere Gorge, in June 2007.

Beaumont Residents Group (info to be added)

Lower Clutha River Guardians (info to be added)

Resources

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Contact Us

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General Enquiries

info@cmrp.org.nz

Chairperson
Lewis Verduyn

chairperson@cmrp.org.nz

Secretary
Dr. Barrie Wills

secretary@cmrp.org.nz

Trails Liaison Officer

Rod Peirce
trails@cmrp.org.nz

Donation Enquiries

donation@cmrp.org.nz

Postal Address

Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group

PO Box 124, Wanaka 9343

Newsletter - December 2011

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Update: Upper Clutha Trails
The Luggate Creek Track was opened on Sunday 30th May, 2011, at 10am in Luggate. This track connects the Luggate Township into the track network. The track also provides access to Luggate Creek and limited access to the Devil’s Nook. The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT) hopes to be able to improve access to the Devils Nook later in the year as a further phase of this project.

It is now possible to walk or cycle between Luggate, Wanaka, Albert Town and Lake Hawea completely off road.

The UCTT have recently added the small community at John’s Creek to the network, and are also looking at options to fully connect to Hawea Flat. In the longer term, the goal is to create a track all the way down to Cromwell and Clyde to connect with the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Roxburgh Gorge Track.

Update: Cromwell-Pisa Track
The outcome from the latest meeting of the Lake Dunstan Management group was that the track can now proceed with funding approved. A track will be contrusted from the Deadman’s Point Bridge to the Lowburn Collie Dog club, and poled route only will be marked from the Pisa Footbridge to the boundary of Parkburn Quarry, following the foreshore all the way.

Update: Roxburgh Gorge Trail
Construction has begun on the first 10kms of the 34km trail on the true right from Alexandra. The contractor J. Sutton has started on a short section of trail near Alexandra. Additional consents have been applied for from ORC & CODC covering all aspects of construction, including blasting. Final signage and safety measures are now being implemented prior to progressing with excavation & blasting.

A Marginal Strip boundary survey by the Roxburgh Gorge Trail Trust (RGTT) has been rejected by a landowner, who has carried out an independent survey which determined a different boundary. This will make trail construction more difficult in some areas.

A Commercial Workshop for trail groups is planned for mid-December involving various trail users and other bodies.

Update: Clutha Gold Trail
Stage One from Roxburgh Dam to Teviot Bridge at Roxburgh has been let to Harliwich Ltd of Roxburgh, who plan to make a start before Christmas. Stage Two from Teviot Bridge to Wright road (a short distance of roadside work, close by Roxburgh Bridge) is almost ready to call tenders. Stage Three from Wright Road to Minzion Creek (start of Millenium Track), thr tenders are in and being evaluated. Stage Four from the Millenium Track to Beaumont, the tenders have been called. Stage Five from Beaumont to Lawrence, the route is being finalised around the Tunnel.

Update: Luggate Native Restoration
Almost all of the 600 native seedlings planted in two native restoration projects along the Clutha Mata-Au River corridor at Luggate last year are doing well. The projects were jointly undertaken by Central Otago Lakes Forest & Bird, Te Kakano Nursery, the Luggate Community Association, and the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group.

The first site is at the Luggate end of the Reko's Point trail, and the second site is on the true right of the river at the Luggate Red Bridge. Volunteers are continuing to plant seedlings and tend the established plants.

Clutha River Forum Seminars
In October, the Clutha River Forum (originally set up with the support of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group) hosted a seminar in Alexandra, on 'Adapting To Our Rapidly Changing World'. The seminar attracted people from throughout the lower South Island, from Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka and Timaru. All were keen to examine the critical issues facing humanity at all levels of society, internationally and locally.

Organisers introduced the seminar with an enlightening YouTube video “Who Killed Economic Growth” by acclaimed author Richard Heinberg.

Guest speakers were David Beach (Neptune Power) on energy, Kennedy Graham (Green Part) on economics, and Dr Steve Earnshaw (Transition Towns and Timaru District Councillor) with Dugald MacTavish (Hampden Community Energy) on community sustainability.

During the presentations, the speakers tackled oil decline and alternative energies, climate change and biosphere collapse, economic breakdown caused by exponential debt, and how local communities can adapt in positive ways by becoming more self reliant and locally supportive.

Later discussion focused on Neptune Power’s innovative marine turbine project off Cape Terawhiti near Wellington, before examining the core issues behind perpetual economic growth and rising debt, which according to official figures is US$211 trillion in the US alone, or fourteen times the GDP of the US.

It was suggested that money was created as debt and that “interest ruins the medium of exchange”. Verduyn said:

“The interest component of debt invokes the exponential function, requiring a perpetually growing economy to repay debt. But the natural capital needed for this repayment does not grow exponentially. Inevitably, the debt will grow to be greater than the available natural capital. A monetary system designed to be ever expanding is not only unsustainable, it is illogical and ultimately suicidal.”

“The New Zealand government only creates 2 percent of its money interest free, and the rest is borrowed from private central banks or the bond market. Why do governments choose to borrow money at interest when a government can create all the interest-free money it needs itself?”

“This vicious mechanism of debt growth is responsible for the society we have and for our collapsing biosphere. Somehow, we need to reintegrate our monetary system with a belief system that promotes life, not destruction. Such interest-free banking systems already exist.”

A similar seminar with the same theme ‘Fronting Up to Our Deteriorating World’, was held in Dunedin on 13 October, in the Castle 1 Lecture Theatre, University of Otago.

'Friends of the Clutha Parkway'
We are facing many challenges and need all the 'Friends' we can get. You can help by becoming a 'Friend of the Clutha Parkway.' Simply complete our 'Friends Membership Form' and return it to us.

Newsletter - December 2010

2010-12-15T14:17:00.001-08:00

Clutha Gold Trail Construction 2011
After four years of planning, construction of the Clutha Gold Trail is tentatively scheduled to start in July 2011. Chairman of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, Rod Peirce, signed an agreement with the NZ Cycle Trail project in September, securing $2.54 million toward the construction of the first 54kms of the trail between the Lake Roxburgh Village and Beaumont.

The Luggate Creek At the signing ceremony in Roxburgh, John Dunn, the NZ Cycle Trail programme manager, said the title of the trail summed up the reasons why it was successful in gaining funding.

"The first thing is the Clutha, the river, the landscape you go through; what could be better than cruising along with the water beside you. Then there's the gold mining culture. A lot of our trails have one string to their bow - the landscape, but you have a second string, which is the mining history of the area."

According to Roxburgh Community Board Chairman, Stephen Jeffery, there is a "huge groundswell of support" for the trail in the Teviot Valley. "Every day I have people asking me when it's going to get under way."

The Clutha Gold Trail, when completed, will traverse 73kms of scenic terrain and riverscapes from Lawrence to the Lake Roxburgh Village, where it will link with the planned 34km Roxburgh Gorge Trail from Alexandra.

"The national cycle trails will revitalise communities and attract New Zealanders and overseas people to your towns," said John Dunn.

Roxburgh Gorge Trail will be Spectacular
“The Roxburgh Gorge Trail will be a spectacular one-day cycle ride between Alexandra and the Roxburgh Dam along the Clutha Mata-au River,” said John Dunn, NZ Cycle Trail programme manager, at a $2 million funding ceremony in Alexandra, on 15 October.

Roxburgh Gorge Trail Trust Chairman, Stephen Jeffery, said the idea came out of community consultation, was researched by the combined Community Boards of Roxburgh and Vincent, and will now become possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Cycle Trail project. “The economic benefits will be significant and have the potential to revitalise business in the Teviot Valley,” said Mr Jeffery.

The trail route will follow the gorge on the true right, through a remarkably dramatic landscape, encountering old schist huts built into the rock by Chinese miners and the remains of two small mining settlements. Approaching the Roxburgh Dam the hills become less steep and the deep gorge widens, with views over Lake Roxburgh.

The exact trail route will depend on easement negotiations with 11 private landowners, the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, and Contact Energy.

“The Roxburgh Gorge has bluffs rising almost 350 metres on either side of the river at its most dramatic point and has been described as New Zealand’s own ‘Grand Canyon’. Opening up this gorge, which has no road access, will open up access to a truly iconic environment. I think that the opportunity to explore well preserved mining relics set within an imposing and inspiring landscape is something that will really appeal to people,” Mr Dunn said.

Central Otago District Council Mayor, Tony Lepper, said this is "an exciting addition to our trail network, traversing a fantastically remote part of our district which boasts a rich cultural heritage. I am sure that the Alexandra and Roxburgh communities will seize this opportunity to develop another vibrant attraction for visitors to Central Otago."

The 34km Roxburgh Gorge Trail will link with the Otago Central Rail Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail.

Upper Clutha Trail Extension
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust is working to continue the Upper Clutha River Track from its car park on Shortcut Road to the mouth of the Luggate Creek, and into the township of Luggate, with an extension to the Devils Nook. DOC are project managing this section of track and hope to have tenders advertised in the New Year for the construction of the track and a bridge over the Luggate Creek.

Work on the track linking Wanaka to Clyde via Cromwell and Bannockburn is being undertaken with landowners south of Luggate with a view to resolving any areas of concern in a hope that funding may become available in the future to complete the extensive feasibility required.

Native Restoration Projects Begin
During Spring, over 600 native seedlings were planted in two native restoration projects along the Clutha Mata-Au River corridor at Luggate. The projects were jointly undertaken by Central Otago Lakes Forest & Bird, Te Kakano Nursery, the Luggate Community Association, and the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group.

The first site is at the Luggate end of the Reko's Point trail, and the second site is on the true right of the river at the Luggate Red Bridge where the New Zealand Transport Agency felled several large poplar trees. The NZTA generously sponsored the native planting at the Red Bridge site.

Volunteers have been watering the plants, which are doing well despite hot, dry weather. Further native restoration, involving community groups and volunteers, is planned at these sites and others along the river corridor.

Clutha River Exhibition

Planning is underway for a major exhibition about the Clutha Mata-Au River that will tour the region in 2012, visiting several communities within the catchment of the river.

The concept of a 'Treasures of the Clutha Mata-Au' exhibition was proposed by Bill Dacker and Lewis Verduyn, and the idea has been taken up by the Otago Settler's Museum, in association with the South Otago Museum in Balclutha and the Central Stories Museum in Alexandra.

The exhibition will tell the dramatic story of the Clutha Mata-Au from creation to the present day, using imagery and artefacts.

'Friends of the Clutha Parkway'
We are facing many challenges and need all the 'Friends' we can get. You can help by becoming a 'Friend of the Clutha Parkway.' Simply complete our 'Friends Membership Form' and return it to us.

Media Release ~ NZ Dam Safety

2009-11-20T23:57:00.000-08:00

NZ Dam Safety Depends On "Blind Faith"
Clutha River Forum, Wednesday 4 August 2010

The Clutha River Forum, an alliance of environmental groups opposed to further dams on the Clutha River, is concerned that New Zealand’s long-awaited Dam Safety Scheme has been deferred.

The scheme was due to come into effect on 1 July 2010, but the Minister of Building and Construction, Maurice Williamson, says it will be delayed for two years following a report earlier this year which found that the scheme imposed rules and compliance costs on dam owners ‘out of proportion to the risks’ imposed on New Zealanders.

“Unlike most other developed countries, New Zealand does not have a ‘Dam Safety Authority’, says Lewis Verduyn, Forum Spokesperson, and Chairperson of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group. “Thousands of people live and work in the hazard paths of dams, and yet dam safety in New Zealand depends on the public having blind faith in dam owners.”

The report, which was released by the Department of Building and Housing, recommends a number of changes to the scheme, which would regulate the safety of an estimated 1150 dams. But the Clutha River Forum believes that some critical issues have not been addressed.

“The report doesn’t acknowledge that overtopping events are a leading cause of dam failures,” says Dr. Richard Kohler, Chairperson of the Central Otago Environmental Society. “When it comes to dam safety, reservoir-related risks such as landslide areas and active fault-lines are just as important as the dams themselves. Rainfall and earthquakes can trigger catastrophic landslides and overtopping waves, and sediment-filled reservoirs can cause devastating floods. Both Clutha dams have reservoir risk factors, however the report recommends that all reference to ‘earthquake-prone and flood-prone dams’ be removed from the Act.”

There are two large concrete dams on the Clutha River. The Roxburgh dam was commissioned in 1956, and has been blamed for serious floods in Alexandra because of reservoir sedimentation. It was re-consented in 2007 for a further 35 years. The Clyde dam was commissioned in 1992 after years of controversy arising from complex fault-line and landslide mitigation issues.

Mr. Verduyn says “Although the review acknowledges that dams degrade over time, there is no mention of criteria to establish when and how dams and reservoirs are decommissioned, when the risks they impose become unacceptable and cannot be fully mitigated. Large concrete dams have a design life of 80-100yrs, but reservoirs trap sediment from eroding catchments, usually reducing this lifespan. Dams older than 50 years with known issues, like the Roxburgh dam, should have decommissioning timetables. Forward planning is needed because the impacts and costs are substantial.”

According to a report by SPX Consultants, ‘Reversibility of Renewable Energy Developments’, released in 2008, decommissioning and river restoration costs for a large dam, as a proportion of construction costs, are between 35% and 150%.

Last year, Contact Energy, the owner of the Clutha dams, dusted off historic plans for four more large dams on the Clutha River.

“The Clutha River Forum,” says Lewis Verduyn, “is firmly opposed to further dams on the Clutha River. Large dams are a gamble and it’s time that we recognised the serious risks that they impose on communities. New Zealand needs a credible ‘Dam Safety Authority’ that can enforce safety baselines and hold dam owners accountable for the impacts of their dams.”

Media Release ~ River Trail Progress

2009-11-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

‘Mighty Clutha River Trail’ Progressing
CMRP Group, Thursday 19 November 2009

The concept of a ‘Mighty Clutha River Trail’ along the length of the Clutha River is continuing to gain support from community groups from Wanaka to the sea. The 338km river trail, originally proposed as part of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway project which began in 2003, is gradually becoming a reality, according to Lewis Verduyn, Chairperson of the Parkway Group, which acts as an umbrella organisation.

At the recent AGM of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group in Alexandra, members heard that the community network along the river has grown significantly in 2009. “Our objective has always been to create a river-length trail within a river parkway corridor,” said Mr. Verduyn. “The trail will be the economic backbone of the river park. Success depends entirely on local support for trail development. This is happening. Communities seem to sense that they are on the verge of reaping huge benefits from river trails.”

Rod Peirce, Trail Liaison Officer for the Lower Clutha, and Chairperson of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, reported steady progress on planning work for the 73km trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence – a trail in its own right that will become a major section of the Mighty Clutha River Trail. “The most important people in this process are the landowners,” said Mr. Peirce. “We have to give them every consideration.”

Mr. Verduyn said that a ‘Mighty Clutha River Trail’ Workshop was being planned, so that trail focused groups and people from Wanaka to Kaitangata could network together. The workshop will be held in Roxburgh.

Media Release ~ Hayes Ruling

2009-11-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

Clutha Groups - Hayes Ruling ‘Common Sense’
Clutha River Forum, Wednesday 11 November 2009

Groups opposed to further large dams on the Clutha River have praised the Environment Court’s decision declining Meridian’s consents for a $2 billion wind farm on the Lammermoor Range.

Members of the Clutha River Forum, an alliance of community and conservation groups, believe that the ruling, released last Friday, represents “common sense.”

The Chairperson of the Beaumont Residents Group, Neville Hills, saw it as “Finally some common sense for New Zealand.”

“The court’s decision points in the right direction,” says Dr. Richard Kohler, Chairperson of the Central Otago Environmental Society. “This decision is a milestone towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.”

“Common sense should have prevailed from the outset,” said Leigh Morris, Spokesperson for the Lower Clutha River Guardians. “It was obvious that the effects of such a wind farm were never going to be minor.”
In October, the Clutha River Forum launched an ‘Option 5 – No More Dams’ campaign, a reference to Contact Energy’s four dam options for the Clutha River, at Luggate, Queensberry, Beaumont and Tuapeka Mouth.

“The Lower Clutha River Guardians can fully appreciate the high level of stress that Project Hayes has caused to those involved,” said Leigh Morris, yesterday. “We hope that the people of Beaumont can also look forward to a day when they, too, can celebrate the feeling of freedom from a large company seeking to make a profit at the expense of their environment.”

Forum members were critical of past decision-making, recalling the Clyde dam episode. They said that power companies have long regarded the South Island as an endless resource to be exploited, despite the infrastructural costs of sending the power north, and the destruction of prized Southern environments.

Contact Energy is the next in line, with their decision on a preferred option expected within months.

“‘Think Big’ is dying here,” says Lewis Verduyn, Chairperson of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group. “It has raised its head too often. We have learned that the price is too high. There is a strong economic argument for us to protect our most valued landscapes, and there’s a poor argument to destroy them in order to satisfy the energy demands of the north.”

“Renewable energy production should be located closer to the end user,” says Tim Ryan, Chairperson of the Upper Clutha River Guardians. “The Otago region already has its fair share of power stations.”

The Environment Court drew attention to Meridian’s lack of information on alternatives.

The Clutha River Forum believes that New Zealand is not short of “sensible energy options,” including “offshore wind farms that are closer to the demand than Central Otago, and the immense potential of Cook Strait tidal power now being developed by Neptune Power.”

“The Hayes decision,” says Lewis Verduyn, “has not only lifted the consenting bar, it has lifted the spirits of those who cherish this landscape.”

“Now that the clouds of uncertainty have been blown away, the Lammermoor Range will look even better,” said Leigh Morris. “We are thankful for the hard work and effort put in by those who fought against its desecration.”

Media Release ~ Option 5 Campaign

2009-10-16T20:39:00.000-07:00

Clutha Forum Launches ‘Option 5’ Campaign
Clutha River Forum, Friday 16 October 2009

Proposed dams on the Clutha River now face concerted opposition from several community and conservation groups who have formed a united Clutha River Forum. At a recent meeting in Alexandra, groups dedicated to saving the unique values of the region, resolved to work together to prevent further “Think Big” dams on the Clutha River.

The new forum has considered Contact Energy’s four dam options, and unanimously supports ‘Option 5 – no more dams’.

The forum also has support from the International Rivers organization. “International Rivers supports the global movement for free-flowing rivers and the rights of riverine communities,” said Aviva Imhof, Campaigns Director, in an email message to the forum. “We support your efforts to save the Clutha River from future dam construction and to protect this majestic river for future generations. You are not alone, as literally millions of dam-affected people around the world are fighting for the same goals - to protect their rivers and their rights."

Members of the Clutha River Forum include the Upper Clutha River Guardians, the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, the Central Otago Environmental Society, Save Central, the Beaumont Residents’ Group, the Lower Clutha River Guardians, and Forest and Bird - Dunedin Branch.

“The energy question concerns all New Zealanders,” said forum spokesperson, Lewis Verduyn. “This issue must be presented in the wider context of energy problems and solutions. Poorly informed people cannot make informed decisions.”

The forum believes that the public has been misled, citing a public misconception that soaring power prices can only be addressed by building new generation, when “history shows that the consumer is likely to fund this additional generation through higher power prices.”

Members said that the New Zealand energy sector is structured to encourage profiteering from electricity generation, which reduces the producer’s incentive to invest in energy conservation. “Customers have a cost incentive to save energy, but producers have a profit incentive to sell more.”

Past restructuring of the energy sector has failed to deliver efficiencies. Instead, energy companies have manipulated the supply and demand equation to reap enormous profits. This problem can only be addressed by restructuring the energy sector to incentivize energy conservation at every stage of electricity production, management, and distribution.

“This is part of a much wider problem,” says Lewis Verduyn. “As a society we are engaged in the unsustainable pursuit of growth without a proper environmental accounting process. That’s why all our so-called resources, and our rivers, are in terminal decline. Change will be difficult because our decision-makers, in politics and business, are accustomed to the existing failing paradigms of economics and governance. In terms of energy, we need to plan for our future now, by maximizing what we have, and by choosing the most sustainable long-term generation options.”

Forum members agreed that energy efficiency measures can significantly reduce or negate the need for new generation capacity. In most cases, these demand reductions can be achieved at less cost than constructing new generation.

At the same time there is a need for New Zealand to move away from unsustainable generation using oil, coal, gas fired power stations and large-scale hydro. The group regards Contact Energy’s claim that more Clutha dams are among our “best renewable” options, as “old strategies dressed in green-washed language.”

“There is a myth that large hydro is clean, green and renewable,” says Lewis Verduyn. “Large concrete gravity dams have a full life carbon footprint that is 2 to 6 times larger than an average wind farm (another poor option), and as we’ve seen on the Clutha, large dams cause serious environmental and community impacts, submerge productive land, and impose long-term costs, risks and liabilities relating to reservoir sedimentation, floods, instability and decommissioning that are highly problematic.”

Because of problems with large dams (over 10 MW) they are no longer defined as a “renewable” energy by many organizations including the World Wildlife Fund. More than 260 organisations have signed the International Rivers declaration to exclude large hydro, over 10 MW, from renewable energy initiatives in the carbon offset market.

Lewis Verduyn said “There is no place for more large dams in New Zealand, because they cannot provide a sustainable, reliable and expandable energy solution. If energy demand grows by as much as 2.5% annually as predicted we would need the equivalent of one Luggate dam (86 MW) every 6 months, or one Tuapeka dam (350 MW) every 25 months, or another Clyde dam (432 MW) every 29 months. This is obviously unsustainable. We are running out of rivers. Clearly a long-term solution is needed.”

Members of the forum identified the Cook Strait tidal power option as the single largest and most promising “new” renewable energy available to New Zealand, capable of providing more than 17000 MW. It has a guaranteed weather-independent output, a relatively low material cost, and the lowest carbon footprint of any form of generation in New Zealand. The forum believes that this innovative underwater technology, which is being developed by Neptune Power, offers substantial opportunities for New Zealand in a quickly changing world.

Nationwide, a range of initiatives are urgently needed to improve energy efficiency, reduce systemic waste in the energy sector, promote local generation and new renewables, and to develop lasting energy solutions.
The forum has embarked on an ‘Option 5 – No More Dams’ campaign.

Media Release ~ International Rivers

2009-07-23T20:42:00.000-07:00

Global Watchdog Opposes Clutha Dams
International Rivers and CMRP, 23 July 2009

International Rivers' mission is to protect rivers and defend the rights of communities that depend on them. We oppose destructive dams and the development model they advance, and encourage better ways of meeting people’s needs for water, energy and protection from damaging floods. To achieve this mission, we collaborate with a global network of local communities, social movements, non-governmental organizations and other partners.

The large dams proposed by Contact Energy for New Zealand’s Clutha River are unacceptable and unnecessary development options.

World-wide, large hydro dams have devastated river ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. Dam projects are often more harmful than alternative forms of renewable generation, especially when placed across the main artery of a river. Having existing dams on a river, is not in itself justification for further dams, as problems are typically magnified as more large dams are added to a river system, resulting in an increased and cumulative loss of natural resources, habitat quality, environmental sustainability and ecosystem integrity.

Some of the worst impacts of global warming on both people and ecosystems will be felt on water and the hydrological cycle. Some areas will become much drier, some wetter. More extreme floods will threaten the safety of dams, and unprecedented droughts will drastically reduce the hydropower and water supply services that dams are built to provide. Minimizing the impacts of climate change will require moving away from a dependence on large dams for electricity generation and flood control.

The proposed dams at Tuapeka Mouth, Beaumont, Queensberry and Luggate are essentially ‘run of the river’ dams with minimal storage that would not contribute greatly to New Zealand’s energy security. New Zealand’s heavy dependence on hydropower, combined with climate change-induced water storage depletion during dry winters, and a complex distribution network spanning the length of the country, are obvious reasons to avoid compounding these issues with further large hydropower schemes.

It is vital to further diversify and decentralize the energy supply. New Zealand is fortunate to have a range of electricity generation options including wind, geothermal, and marine. These, combined with greater efficiencies in areas such as household insulation, have the potential to provide New Zealand with more than sufficient energy in the long-term.

New Zealand has the best wind energy resources in the world, and yet electricity generation from wind amounts to only 2.5% of installed capacity. By contrast, Denmark generates 20% of its electricity from wind, and Spain will generate 15% of its electricity from wind by 2010.

Marine generation also has the potential to be a major contributor of electricity in New Zealand. Cook Strait is an ideal location for marine generation and distribution. Neptune Energy has estimated that 7000MW could be generated in the Strait, which is almost equivalent to New Zealand’s total annual production.

International Rivers also works to address the legacies of existing projects, to improve development policies and practices, and promote water and energy solutions for a just and sustainable world. The Clutha River has proven to be a complex and challenging environment for dams, as evidenced by the serious siltation issues faced by the Roxburgh Dam, and the stability and seismic safety issues faced by the highly destructive and controversial Clyde Dam. There are serious concerns relating to the safety and sustainability of these existing dams.

Further, the long-term acquisition of some 4000 hectares of land for as yet unconfirmed projects has already had a significant negative impact on river communities by stifling local development.

The Clutha River has extraordinary natural, recreational, tourism and cultural values. The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group and the Clutha Gold Trail Trust are two local groups working to protect and improve their river resource. These projects offer highly desirable outcomes from both an economic and an environmental perspective, locally and regionally. Authorities are urged to support local river communities in their river park and trail initiatives.

Forming another artificial lake in a region that already has several magnificent lakes, and removing a large wild river, where there are no other such rivers, is not a logical advantage for recreation and tourism. Free flowing rivers like the Clutha are scarce, and offer more recreational and tourism opportunities in their natural state, especially in the unique and spectacular environment that is Central Otago.

River-wrecking dams are the wrong choice for a warming world. There is no practical or ethical justification for further hydro dams on the famous Clutha River.

International Rivers' Statement July 2009 (10.KB)

Newsletter ~ April 2009

2009-04-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

Dams Threaten River Park and Trail
The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group has signalled resolute opposition to Contact Energy’s proposed plans to dam the Clutha River. The Parkway Group is working to create NZ’s largest river parkway along the entire 338km Clutha Mata-Au corridor, including a river-length Clutha River Trail.

Parkway Group Chairperson, Lewis Verduyn, says “Contact Energy’s plans would destroy the vast economic potential of this river parkway and trail. The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway project, together with the Clutha River Trail, offers truly long-term, sustainable and economic benefits to the local communities. Contact’s dam plans do not offer us a better alternative.”

Mr Verduyn is unimpressed by the prospect of some 400 construction jobs, saying “Temporary jobs are not an incentive. The Clutha River Parkway and the Clutha River Trail will create many more jobs, sooner, and they will be permanent. Tens of millions of dollars annually will be injected into communities along the river when the trail grows. In today’s world, this natural asset is more valuable to us than another hydro dam. This wild river corridor, in its natural state, will become so economically important in the future that we will be doing everything we can to improve it and restore it.”

Parkway Group Executive Committee member, and well-known photographer, Gilbert van Reenen, says “By many criteria, the Clutha River system ranks as one of the finest in the world. Any further exploitation of it is totally unacceptable and not negotiable. The Clutha River has already been vandalised to provide more than double Otago's entire industrial and residential electricity requirements. Contact Energy is a foreign owned company. Contact’s primary objective is to maximise profit for its overseas shareholders.”

Mr Verduyn points out that “a healthy, living river is more desirable for recreation and tourism than a dead reservoir. Tourists do not come to NZ to see dam reservoirs. In fact, I've already heard from people overseas who are horrified by this news. This could really hurt us internationally."

Contact has cited recreational benefits from dams, but Mr Verduyn says "where are the benefits for fly-fishing, kayaking, rafting and jet-boating? There are enough nearby lakes for flat water recreation, but there are no other large wild rivers like the Clutha.”

He says that “it’s simply untrue to say that more dams are needed on the Clutha, because around 600MW of new generation is currently consented or under construction. There is absolutely no need to trash the Clutha River again. New Zealand is already over reliant on hydro electricity, which reduces security of supply in the winter during dry years. The current dams on the Clutha are ‘run of the river’ with little storage, and the proposed dams would have similar constraints. We need a better mix of generation.”

He is severely critical of plans which he describes as “out-dated.” He says “these are 30-year-old dam plans that have never been economic or needed. They would have major negative environmental, ecological and social impacts. These kinds of 'think big' projects are not relevant in the 21st century. Large dams are considered undesirable by most Western countries because they are more destructive, expensive, and less reversible than sustainable alternatives. Technology has moved on, and so should Contact.”

According to Lewis Verduyn “Contact Energy has cunningly proposed four options, as if we have to choose the least distasteful one. Well, we choose NONE!”

He says “the Clutha Mata-Au is at the heart of our history, and is culturally very important to Maori and Pakeha. The Clutha Mata-Au environment also has the world's greatest diversity of species confined to a single area. It is totally unacceptable to destroy unique conservation land, including the nationally important Birch Island, the Rongahere native corridor; and the Upper Clutha conservation corridor.

He believes that “many people profoundly and bitterly resent Contact’s plans, and will not be walked over. They are absolutely fed-up with this hydro nightmare that has been going on for forty-years or more, crippling land values and ruining lives.”

Lewis Verduyn says “the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway, and the Clutha River Trail, offers all the river communities a much better future.”

Trail Work Advancing
The Parkway Group is an "umbrella group" for trail focused community groups along the river. "We are involved, but moreso in the big picture, and we understand that these trails must be 'owned' by the communities," says Chairman, Lewis Verduyn. "The overall vision is to link all the river communities together, and to give them a say in how the entire river park is managed."

Two such community groups are the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, and the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust. Both are making solid progress on their respective trail sections.

Rod Peirce, Chairman of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, and an Executive Committee member of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, reports that a full Feasibility Study has now been completed and the entire 73km trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence has been GPS'd and costed. The first 50kms follows the Clutha Mata-Au to Beaumont. In response to Contact Energy's dam plans, he says "the long-term benefits of a new walking and cycling trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence would surpass those of a new hydro development in the same area. Contact is saying 400 jobs will be created during the construction, but we're saying the Clutha Gold Trail will result in 4000 jobs over 50 years," he said.

Tim Dennis, Chairman of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, is working with a skilled and enthusiastic team on trails in the Upper Clutha, including the trail from Albert Town to Luggate, which is well advanced, but also threatened by a dam at Luggate.

'Friends of the Clutha Parkway'
We are facing enormous challenges and we need all the 'Friends' we can get. You can help by becoming a 'Friend of the Clutha Parkway.' Simply complete this Friends form and return it to us.

Please forward our 'Friends' form to anyone who may be interested, and if you'd like it emailed to you, please let us know here.

Newsletter ~ December 2008

2008-12-01T20:17:00.000-08:00

Trail Construction in 2009
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust has indicated that work on the Alberttown to Luggate trail section should begin in mid-2009, depending on current progress with the track along the Hawea River. We must give full credit to the UCTT, and especially to the late John Pawson, for driving the planning stages of this first new section of the Clutha River Trail. Part of this trail section is already operative, thanks in large part to DoC's establishment of Reko's Point Conservation Area, with the assistance of the Clutha Fisheries Trust, the UCTT, and the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group.

Preparation for trail construction and trail upgrading has already begun, with DoC expertly felling most of the wilding pines along the route. The initial trail construction will form a track from Alberttown, across the Cardrona River (thanks to bridge materials donated by John and Meg Pawson), and along the river escarpment to the Reko's Point track, which will be upgraded. The current access way, exiting onto Shortcut Rd, Luggate, will be used, until the last short track section to just above the Red Bridge can be added at a later date.

John Pawson
The news of John Pawson's tragic death on Mt Aspiring in late November has stunned us all. John was both the Chair of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, and an Executive Committee member of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group. His remarkable knowledge, and his ability to combine his passion for the outdoors with farming and conservation, gave him a unique and valuable viewpoint that will be sorely missed. We remain indebted to him for his tireless contribution to trail development.

Clutha Gold Trail
A Feasibility Study has recently been completed for the 'Clutha Gold Trail' from Roxburgh to Lawrence. Rod Peirce, Chairman of the Clutha Gold Trail Trust, and an Executive Committee member of the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, says the planned trail will be 73kms long, with the first 50kms following the Clutha Mata-Au to Beaumont. The cost of the trail is estimated to be $5.5million. The trail will be constructed to a high standard and the Trust believes it will become a significant economic asset to the region, especially as other linkages are formed. The CMRPG congratulates the Trust's members on their progress. We consider the Clutha Gold Trail to be a major component of the expanding regional trail network.

Funding More Competitive
Funding has been difficult to secure in 2008. The funding 'environment' has become increasingly competitive and complex. Each funding application takes many weeks to prepare and usually many months to process. This work has been voluntary since November 2008. Despite exhaustive efforts, we have been struggling to meet our day-to-day running costs, since very few funding agencies will grant such costs.

You Can Make A Difference
Helping us to create the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway, and the Clutha River Trail, is as easy as making an online donation. Every donation is important to us. We believe that a few passionate people can make a big difference.

We thank the Hillary Family of Wanaka for their recent generous 'Christmas Present' donation. Thank you!

We will acknowledge contributions via this Newsletter unless the donee asks to remain anonymous. This e-news reaches hundreds of supporters along the Clutha Mata-Au River and elsewhere in New Zealand and around the world. If you would like to donate, please use our donation page here.

TVNZ Documentary on the Clutha
A new documentary series is currently being filmed, with one episode devoted entirely to the Clutha Mata-Au. The series is being produced by JAM TV for Television New Zealand, is titled SOUTH, and features Marcus Lush travelling around the lower South Island in search of the 'essential' South. The Producer, Melanie Rakena, is also the Producer of the popular Intrepid Journeys television series.

The Clutha Mata-Au episode will be the last in the series, and will screen in the Sunday 7pm time-slot on TV1, probably in September 2009. The film crew recently spent a day with myself (CMRPG Chairperson), rafting the Upper Clutha on a rainy, sunless day, but they were pleased with the results. They also filmed in the Roxburgh Gorge, camping overnight at Doctor's Point, and later filmed with Rod Peirce in Roxburgh.

The Great Clutha Mata-Au ...
Most of us know that the Clutha Mata-Au is New Zealand's great river ~ our largest and most powerful river. But few of us realize that the extraordinary qualities of the giant Clutha Mata-Au place it among the great rivers of the world. The Clutha Mata-Au consistently ranks as one of the world’s swiftest rivers. This, combined with its clear turquoise-tinted waters – the result of glacial and snow-melt filtering by upland lakes, firmly establish it as one of the rarest rivers in the world.

When we consider that this remarkable river is also famous for its spectacular riverscapes, unique conservation values, recreation, tourism, and its Maori, pioneer and gold-rush history, it becomes obvious that the Clutha Mata-Au is a national treasure.

Newsletter ~ May 2008

2008-05-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

New 'Reko's Track' Popular
We are pleased to report that the new track to Reko's Point in the Upper Clutha 'Snake' has become very popular among walkers, fishermen and mountain-bikers. This track is the first operational section of the Albert Town to Luggate trail presently under development.

A feature of this trail is the new Reko's Point Conservation Area, with its exceptional native and historic values. Reko was a Maori Chief who guided the first European, Nathaniel Chalmers, down the river in 1853.

We are grateful to DoC for providing signage and fencing, and for controlling the wilding pines in this special part of the Upper Clutha Mata-Au corridor. The Clutha Fisheries Trust also deserve thanks for their contribution to public access via Shortcut Rd, Luggate.

Clutha River Trail Updates
At a recent Parkway Group Project Committee meeting in March, John Pawson, Chair of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, reported that good progress is being made on preliminary work for the contiguous track from Albert Town to Luggate, which is close to the tendering stage. Track construction is expected to take 6-8 months after tenders are called.

At the same meeting, Rod Pierce, Chair of the Roxburgh Lawrence Trail Working Party, also reported steady progress on preliminary work for the track from Roxburgh to Lawrence, which will follow the river to Beaumont.

We are still keen to hear from residents in the Beaumont and Tuapeka areas regarding the trail down the true left of the Rongahere Gorge between Beaumont and Tuapeka Mouth. We've done some preliminary route work on this section, which has outstanding natural values.

Luggate to the Maori Gorge
As reported earlier, the Parkway Group is currently focusing on the section of the Clutha River Trail from Luggate to Lake Dunstan, with construction initially to the Maori Gorge at Queensberry.

We are in the process of sourcing funding, but have not yet received any good news. A number of funding applications are currently being processed.

This next section of trail will provide an essential linkage into Central Otago, ultimately linking the Te Araroa NZ Walkway (which is coming down the Hawea River) to the Central Otago Rail Trail. The onward linkage to the future Roxburgh Lawrence Trail will create an impressive trail network with considerable regional benefits.

Donations and Letters of Support
Since our previous Newsletter, we have received much appreciated donations from Morley and Glenda of Cromwell, and also from Robert Scholten and family from Victoria, Australia. Thank you!

We welcome donations of any amount. We will acknowledge contributions via this Newsletter unless the donee asks to remain anonymous. This e-news reaches hundreds of supporters along the Clutha Mata-Au River and elsewhere.

Letters from the public supporting our work are also valuable, as copies of these are submitted with funding applications. They are highly regarded and really do assist us to secure project funding. If you'd like to help us in this way, simply write a letter supporting development of the Clutha River Trail and post it to: Chairperson, Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, P.O. Box 124, Wanaka 9343. We'd be delighted to hear from you.

Te Kakano All Go
Congratulations to the those behind the Te Kakano Trust community-based native plant nursery, which recently gained funding from the Sargood Bequest to begin work on a site generously gifted to the trust by Jill and John Blennerhassett of Wanaka. Chair of the Trust, Nick Mills, says “it’s fantastic that we have received this funding which allows us to contract a nursery manager and commence building a community nursery in Wanaka”.

The Parkway Group aims to undertake Native Restoration projects along the Clutha River Trail, section by section, using local seed stock and involving community groups. We're therefore pleased to support the valuable work of the Te Kakano Trust.

Come to the Slideshow!
The Central Otago Users Forum (CORUF) is hosting a special presentation on the Clutha River next Wednesday evening at the Alexandra Hall, titled 'CLUTHA MATA-AU ~ OTAGO'S TREASURE'.

Lewis Verduyn, Chair of Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group, will provide an update on the project and explain how it all started. He will show some rarely seen slides of rafting on the river, including a journey on a pioneer log-raft in 1981, and another raft journey in 1992 that navigated a Grade-6 rapid nick-named 'Terminator', formed prior to the flooding of the Cromwell Gorge.

This is a public presentation, so please come along if you are interested in the amazing Clutha Mata-Au ~ Otago's Treasure.

Date: Wednesday May 21
Location: Alexandra Hall
Time: 7.30pm for a 8pm start

Radio Central's Mike Bain will also be talking to Lewis on Wednesday May 21 in the morning at 9.30am.

Newsletter ~ December 2007

2007-12-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

Clutha River Trail
You may already know that the Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group is developing a river-length trail ~ the Clutha River Trail. We are working with a number of community groups along the Clutha River to develop this trail. These groups are linked together through their membership in the Parkway Group.

Albert Town to Luggate ...
The first new section of the Clutha River Trail from Albert Town to Luggate is well in hand. This work is a co-operative effort between the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust, DoC, the QLDC, the Clutha Fisheries Trust, and the Clutha River Parkway Group. Walkers, mountain-bikers and fishermen can already use part of this trail section. Access is from the end of Stevenson's Rd. near the Wanaka Airport, and the trail begins at the Poplars, following the true right riverbank downriver to a pleasant public picnic area at Fantail Creek, rising onto the terrace where a fenced accessway on the right leads to Shortcut Rd., Luggate.

Luggate to the Maori Gorge ...
The Clutha Mata-Au River Parkway Group is currently focusing on the second contiguous section of the Clutha River Trail from Luggate to Lake Dunstan, with construction initially to the Maori Gorge at Queensberry.

The importance of this next section becomes very apparent when considered in the context of the growing trail network. The Te Araroa NZ Walkway follows the Hawea River on its journey south toward the Motatapu, meeting the Clutha River Trail at Albert Town. The trail downriver along the Clutha River will link the Te Araroa NZ Walkway with Central Otago. The Clutha River Trail will eventually provide ongoing links to the Central Otago Rail Trail, and to the Roxburgh Lawrence Trail. Therefore, the trail along the Clutha River will become a vital arterial route in an impressive network.
Funding applications are currently being processed, and it is hoped that trail construction from Luggate to the Maori Gorge will commence in 2008. DoC will oversee work to ensure that their required standards are met.

Tourists Donate
It is pleasing to note that tourists from the U.S.A., the U.K. and Australia, have made individual donations to assist our work. They have been so impressed by the Clutha Mata-Au River and the scope of our conservation project, that they have felt compelled to contribute before leaving the area. Such donations are most welcome, as it is especially difficult for us to fund our administration costs. To date, there have been no individual donations from New Zealanders. If you would like to contribute, please contact us here.

Community Participation ...
The Clutha River Trail will become Otago’s longest single trail, providing significant economic and recreational benefits to the river communities and the region. It will also facilitate practical community involvement in river corridor improvement and management, through native restoration projects (including schools), gold-rush heritage site restoration and tourism development.

We are looking for more community groups to participate in this exciting project, especially in the Tarras, Beaumont, Tuapeka Mouth and Balclutha areas. If you are interested in getting together with a few people in your area to improve your section of the Clutha Mata-Au River, please contact us.