Promoting scenic route could boost tourist dollars for Canterbury
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Turning drivers towards an Inland Scenic Route could be a cost-effective way to boost the economy, Ashburton councillors have been told.
Council economic development manager Simon Worthington detailed the promotion of the route in the Economic Development Strategy six monthly report last week.
The inland route, former State Highway 72, stretches from Amberley to Geraldine and runs the width of the Ashburton District from the Rakaia to the Rangitata River (as Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd) along the foothills.
A working group of representatives from the Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils is exploring opportunities for the development and better promotion of the scenic driving route.
The group may also expand to incorporate the Timaru and Mackenzie councils so the route can link from Geraldine through the Mackenzie basin to Central Otago.
Mayor Neil Brown was curious about the economic benefit of promoting the inland scenic route.
“Beautiful drive, but what else is there economically?”
Worthington said there is evidence around touring routes being large economic generators.
Attracting more people to drive that route would result in more visitors to the attractions along the way, Worthington said.
“Methven is really logically situated for a night one stay of people doing the route,” he said.
“The idea being that you slow them down and make it sticky as they come through the district, and bring them into elements like Ōpuke [Thermal Pools] or jetboating on the Rakaia.”
Brown had another money saving option to slow tourists.
“If we didn’t spend as much money on that road, then that would certainly slow them down and make it sticky for them."
His tongue in cheek remark refers to the historic issue the council has had funding road maintenance of the busy former state highway.
Former councillor Stu Wilson constantly referred to it as a “tourist route”, arguing on numerous occasions that while NZTA decided to remove the highway status it didn’t remove the traffic volumes, but the council was lumped with paying for its maintenance.
The maintenance costs for the 57km Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road for the last five years is $1.18 million, with rehabilitation costs of $2.86m.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan took a brighter approach, saying that promoting the route fitted in with linking the dark sky areas in Oxford and Tekapo, and the fact the council is looking into getting dark sky status for the Hakatere Conservation Park.
Dark sky has quite a following and adds another element to promoting the route, Worthington said.
“Another reason for people to stop in our district and stay the night."
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
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Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.4% Yes
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46.6% No
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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