Survey Results newsletter #1
2024-2025 Track User Survey Results.
Firstly, many thanks to the 160 people who responded to our survey over the Christmas period.
The Upper Clutha Tracks Trust consists of a bunch of volunteers with a big track network to improve and expand, and the information provided in the survey has given us a better idea of where to direct our energy and resources.
Some of the interesting points that came through:
– 72% of respondents said they used the tracks for walking, 67% for cycling, and 23%
for running.
– 87% of respondents were permanent residents and 11% were holiday home
owners.
– 49% of respondents said they used the tracks daily and 39% said weekly.
The responses show Upper Clutha residents enjoy easy access to the outdoors every day. The stories about positive impacts on people’s lives were really heartening.
44 respondents said the Outlet track was their favourite, 40 said the Albert Town- Hawea track, 22 said Luggate or Upper Clutha track, 22 said the Glendhu or Millennium track, 17 said the Newcastle track, 17 said the Mt Iron track, 15 said Deans Bank, 9 said the Luggate Creek track, 9 said Hikuwai track, 8 said the Eely Point/Bremner Bay/Beacon Point track, 6 said Sticky Forest, and 5 said the Gladstone track.
Most respondents said what they liked most about the tracks, was the scenery and the views, some said the accessibility, some said the variety, and some said the ability to walk their dogs on tracks. The UCTT strives to create a network of tracks that caters for all users and experiences.
The biggest single issue identified by the survey was the conflict between walkers and cyclists/electric bike riders, particularly on the Outlet Track. Some suggested providing separate tracks for both groups. Some suggested the surface of tracks could be improved but one or
two noted improving the surface of tracks encouraged cyclists to go even faster, creating a greater risk to walkers.
Conflict on tracks is as old as the rocks. The waggy finger has been pointed at me as a 20 year old (last century) blasting the Outlet Track and I respectfully pulled the brakes and pulled my head in. User numbers are now up, e-bikes and riders of varying skill are more frequent. The them-and-us mentality I think is in decline from the snowboarding vs skiing, mountain biking vs hiking past. We share tracks and have to show good old kindness
to others. An off the leash dog walker listening to the daily meditation on headphones and a novice e-biker steering like an oil tanker can get along with a bit of courtesy.
Asked about improvements they would like to see, maintaining the width of tracks, controlling weeds, and adding more native species were seen as important. Some respondents asked for better passing bays, better visibility on blind corners, and more facilities for dogs. Other suggestions included better signage, more toilets and better rabbit control. While some suggested more cattle stops were required, horse riders disagreed, pointing out they were an obstacle. And one respondent suggested tracks that were too smooth were boring.
The UCTT plans to have the right tracks in the right place. Sometimes this means leaving tracks with a low number of users a bit rough. In other cases tracks that may be on commuter routes and needed to have a good smooth surface and width.
The new more natural track on the Hawea River true right bank and the surface upgrade on the lower section of the Hawea River track (on the true left bank) are two of our next projects. They will enable people to enjoy the beautiful surrounds on both sides of the Hawea River in the style they choose – a river-side picnic with an off-road stroller and baby or a Strava record at 7am commuting to work.
Finally, I would like to thank those respondents who threw in a few compliments: ”world class”, ”keep up the good work” and ”love your work”, for example. And, one person asked how they could make a financial contribution.
You will be pleased to know the UCTT Supporter program has just been launched.
To become a Supporter go to our website uppercluthatrackstrust.org.nz or go directly to Hivepass https://go.hivepass.app/5nzH
This is our first ever newsletter so it might be a bit rough and ready like some of our tracks, BUT we will work on this too, when we are not out enjoying the tracks.
Cheers,
David Howard
UCTT Chairman.
