Source: Radio New Zealand
DOC staff working on the rerouted section of the Motatapu Track Supplied/DOC
A popular walking track linking Wānaka and Arrowtown has been moved to avoid a large slow-moving slip.
The Department of Conservation said a routine assessment of a 400 metre slip near the Motatapu Track found it was at risk of growing during storms.
Operations manager Charlie Sklenar said staff had monitored the slip for years.
“Safety is our highest priority so when a recent reassessment found it was at risk of further movement, potentially damaging the track, we made the call to close this section and reroute it to a safer location,” he said.
The new section of track, rerouted to the left of the large, slow-moving slip. Supplied/DOC
The affected section – part of Te Araroa Trail – is between Highland Creek Hut and Roses Hut and crosses private land.
DOC staff and the landowner had identified a new path and the work was completed last week with marker posts moved and directional signs installed.
“Judging by the amount of foot traffic while staff were undertaking the work it won’t be long before this new section is well and truly worn in,” Sklenar said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
