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Chairperson’s Annual Report November 3, 2009
In September this year Jeff Connell retired as Conservator for the Otago Conservancy with the Department of Conservation.
Soon after the decision in 1993 to convert the former Central Otago railway line to a rail trail Jeff was at the forefront in the formation of a Trust who would work alongside the department and secure funds for the important and extensive work that was to follow.
For almost 15 years Jeff has given support to the Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust and to the Department to ensure the Otago Central Rail Trail developed into what we have today.
The Rail Trail presented different challenges to other conservation projects as it bordered many properties and touched many small communities. It was important to ensure those living along side the trail were included when plans were being made for its development and Jeff played an active part in ensuring this occurred.
The Department of Conservation’s Working with Communities Initiative grew from the Rail Trail experience and Jeff Connell’s open mind and encouragement contributed to the eventual positive response from the communities and subsequent success of the Rail Trail.
Trustees sincerely thank Jeff for his advice, encouragement and interest in the work of the Trust during the development of the Rail Trail and wish him well in his retirement.
We are now entering a new era and look forward to working with Jeff’s successor, Marian van der Goes.
New Zealand Cycle Trails
When the Prime Minister John Key, announced the Government was allocating $50m towards the development of cycle trails throughout New Zealand the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust was interested in the method that would be employed to encourage their establishment.
The Otago Central Rail Trail has been show cased as a success story and an example to follow. We believe the knowledge gained by those who have worked on the establishment of the Otago Central Rail Trail over the past 15 years will provide valuable information to assist new groups to get established.
Earlier in the year I met with the Minister of Conservation and Trade the Hon Tim Groser and his team who were in the area to look at the Rail Trail and business opportunities in general.
I have had the opportunity to meet with Mike Barnett who is on the new Cycle Trail Committee and Angus Davidson from the Ministry of Economic Development to discuss in general terms the way forward for groups intending to develop new trails.
The Trust has received requests for information from groups and individuals who are either looking at the possibility of establishing a trail in their area or who are at the stage of preparing a feasibility study. Each area is different and land ownership varies but Trustees are always happy to share their experiences.
The media coverage of the new Cycle Trail initiative has certainly provided a very positive benefit for the Otago Central Rail Trail as requests for information from people intending to ‘do the trail’ have grown 300% with interest coming from around the world.
Friends of the Rail Trail
We receive many good comments about the Rail Trail, the scenery, and above all the people within the small communities. Some have enjoyed their experience so much they want to give something back to the Rail Trail.
The Trust recognizes this support by selecting those who have given outstanding support as Friends of the Rail Trail with the Falcon Friend Logo awarded for significant financial contributions. Community support is recognized as a Gecko Friend and we encourage our friends to use these logos to show their support for the Rail Trail.
One very happy rail trailer generously offered to make a new sign for the highest point and we thank Peter Cousins of Promarc International Ltd for the very impressive sign now replacing the small sign which was barely visible in photographs. There is no doubt the highest point will now be one of the most popular for rail trailers to be photographed beside.
Information Signs
Because Humes Concrete donated the cost of building the Topographical Plane Tables and seats back to the Trust, The Ministry of Tourism Grant Board allowed us to retain this part of their grant to put towards providing further information panels. We are very grateful to both Humes and the Ministry for their generous support of the Rail Trail.
We have a new sign at Taieri Lake which includes the Kokonga Stones and another pointing out the Two Tunnels, the Diversion Tunnel and Prices Creek Tunnel.
The new Gangers’ Shed at the former Tiroiti Station also has a large interpretation panel following the same design as the panels in all other Gangers’ Sheds. People appreciate the information given and the interesting stories told about the surrounding area and we have received many positive comments.
Our thanks to Ross Lindsay for gathering together all the information and photographs and for the special skill he has in putting them together to form attractive and informative panels.
The Trust also thanks Mike Tubbs and Anita Middlemass at DOC Alexandra for their knowledge and input, to John Gordon for his valued contribution and John Gibson for his research and information.
At the same time several Kiosk signs have been updated and replaced.
As in all things it is team work that brings success.
Commercial Signs
The problem of unauthorized commercial signs on the Rail Trail has now been resolved with agreement between DOC, the Trust and the Operators Group. The Operators Group has arranged to have very attractive signs designed to agreed standards placed at designated areas along the trail. This will ensure rail trail users have all the information they need to arrive at their chosen destination and where to go to enjoy good coffee and food.
The Trust is enjoying a good working relationship with representatives of the Operators Group. Both want the same outcome which is providing the best experience possible for the thousands who visit the Rail Trail each year.
Summer Programme
Our second Summer Programme was held in January and was again received enthusiastically by many who had travelled some distance to attend. We thank the presenters, Dr Daphne Lee who led a geological exploration of the tunnels, cuttings and ravines in the rail trail area around Hyde and Tiroiti. Cam Withington who talked about fighting crime on the goldfields. Entomologist Brian Patrick shed light on the bugs and insects that live here and Chris Naylor took us for a close up look at Clyde. We were taken back in time when Mon Flannery showed Matakanui, under the Dunstan Range and Barry Becker repeated his very popular stories at the Golden Progress Mine.
At the Garibaldi Diggings John Gibson explained the history of this historical Italian Goldmine and the past was brought to life with Kay Dundass at Naseby.
We appreciate the time and effort given to make this summer programme so successful.
The Trust arranged the venues and speakers and provided all promotional material to ensure the event was well supported.
All proceeds from the gold coin donation collected on the day went to the presenter to be used for any purpose of their choice that would benefit the community.
Thanks to Graham Scott who put the programme together for the Trust.
The Trust is not sponsoring a Summer Programme this summer. We hope the two previous successful years will have paved the way for individual communities to work together to stage their own events
Rail Trail Documentary
During the height of last summer a documentary was compiled by Alan Gerrie which includes the history of the formation of the Rail Trail, interviews and many historic images. The documentary takes the viewer along the trail whilst pointing out the many areas of interest. It is good to have such a comprehensive record of the Rail Trail on DVD.
Financial Reviews
We would like to acknowledge the Annual Financial Reviews of the Trust’s account by Grant Thornton Accountants over the past few years and thank them for donating their time to the Trust.
The Annual Reviews are now carried out by Robert Cooper and Co. Chartered Accountant in Alexandra. All work to date has been carried out without cost to the Trust and we are delighted to receive this generous contribution to the Trust.
The Official Otago Central Rail Trail Website
The Central Otago Rail Trail website has almost taken on a life of its own! The growth in visitor numbers is considerable and it is clearly regarded as the site to go to when clear and comprehensive information is required.
Because the Trust supports all business that contributes positively to the Rail Trail experience they are welcomed onto the official website. This selection offers a wide choice of options for those seeking information when planning to do the Rail Trail.
Requests for our Leaflet are increasing daily and come from all over the world. Those wishing to share their thoughts and ideas do so through our Contact Us and Tell a Friend sites and these too are increasing in numbers.
Every day there seems to be something new and exciting that will improve the web site experience with names like Twitter, Flickr, Blog and Picasa, and we are grateful to Ted and Ash at Web Promotions for keeping us up to date and explaining to the less computer literate the intricacies of this technology.
As I said we receive a great many requests for information about the Rail Trail and the services that are available and Ross Lindsay, our web manager, answers all with clear, detailed information. We receive many replies thanking us for the level of information supplied.
Community Post
Once again we have been successful with our application to Community Post for prepaid envelopes. Postage is quite a major cost as leaflets are sent free to all who request them. This generous contribution is very gratefully received.
Thanks
I would like to thank everyone who has supported the work of the Trust and the contributions and donations made. This ongoing support ensures the Otago Central Rail Trail continues to attract large numbers of visitors to the area, keeping it at the top of the ‘must do’ attractions in New Zealand.
I have said emphatically and often that the Otago Central Rail Trail would not have been the success it is if the two major players, The Department of Conservation and the Otago Central Rail Trail Trust had not worked closely and cooperatively. This experience is valuable and the Trust is happy to share their knowledge with others looking at developing trails. Trusts on their own will face major hurdles which will more easily be resolved if they are able to form partnerships with a Government Department, Local or Territorial Authority or a major corporate body.
Living in Alexandra I have frequent contact with the Department of Conservation Central Otago Area Manager Mike Tubbs, Anita Middlemass, Amanda Ware and many other members of the DOC team. I thank you all for the friendly and willing response you give to Trust requests. The Trust also appreciates the time and interest we receive from Coastal Otago Area Manager Robin Thomas at the Dunedin Office and Bill Wheeler who looks after the coastal end of the Rail Trail. There are many others who support the work of the Trust and the Rail Trail and we thank you all.
Again our thanks to Sue Robinson who ensures all our leaflet requests are posted.
We know Tania Murphy goes the extra mile and we do appreciate the accuracy and speed with which she manages the financial accounts and prepares with meticulous detail all material for our Annual Financial Review. Thank you Tania
To my fellow Trustees and team members, thank you for your contribution.
To know that the Otago Central Rail Trail is promoted throughout New Zealand as an example to follow when considering similar ventures is indeed a testimony to the work and dedication given by all involved.
Daphne Hull
Otago Central Rail Trail Charitable Trust Inc. Chairperson
November 3, 2009
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