Craggy Range's track will be removed, with exploring an alternative route a possibility. Photo / File
Craggy Range's track will be removed, with exploring an alternative route a possibility. Photo / File
Despite claims they were left in the dark, it has been revealed the Te Mata Park Trust Board and Hastings District Councillors knew about Craggy Range's plans to build a track months before it was carved into the most visible side of Te Mata Peak.
There was public outcry over the $300,000 track developed by Craggy Range Winery on the eastern slope of Te Mata Peak.
Although the track was on winery land, questions were raised of the bodies which oversee the landmark - the Te Mata Park Trust Board, and the Hastings District Council which approved the resource consent.
However minutes of a September Trust meeting obtained by Hawke's Bay Today reveal Trustees - including Hastings District Councillors - were aware of the track idea months prior to its application.
Councillors Malcolm Dixon and George Lyons are the two council-appointed representatives on the board.
Mr Lyons was not in attendance at the September meeting when Council staff briefed the trust on Craggy Range's plans.
Yesterday Mr Dixon said although the trust were told of Craggy Range's idea they did not know the winery would soon apply for consent.
"The council staff showed the trust board that there was a draft that Craggy Range were proposing at that particular stage, and that was basically the end of it."
The draft minutes stated discussion took place as to the track "Craggy Range intends to develop", which would go from Waimarama Rd, towards the summit of the park.
The notes also state: "[former trust chairman] Bruno Chambers suggested that consideration be given to extending this track to under the summit face".
The controversial track zigzags up the eastern slopes of Te Mata Peak. Photo/File
Yesterday Te Mark Park Trust chairman Mike Devonshire said although they were told, the track idea was among many ideas the trust were informed of.
He said at the time he expected if the winery were to apply for a resource consent the trust would have been notified, at which stage they would have intervened.
Although at least one councillor knew about plans for the track, Hasting Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst yesterday stuck by previous statements about council knowledge of the track.
Mr Dixon said he had never passed this information on to Ms Hazlehurst - then acting mayor - or other councillors "because as far as I was aware it was at the ideas stage and far from becoming reality".
"In hindsight I should have told the Mayor and councillors about the September discussion once it was clear there was a high level of public interest."
The Mayor said she had not been aware of the meeting when it occurred, or that Mr Dixon had been informed about the track idea, but he had told her since.
"My understanding is that the idea was mooted [at the meeting] but that was all that was said at that time."
"I wasn't given any information about the track at all, and that was obviously something that was discussed by the Te Mata Park Trust and our council staff, but I certainly wasn't aware that the track was actually going to take place".
When asked whether it was normal for councillors not to brief the council on activities represented council for, Ms Hazlehurst said they would make sure there were briefings in the future.
"This year that is very much a priority for me to ensure that we are fully communicating as councillors to look at ways to share information, not just within council but all the outside organisations that we represent as community leaders."
Craggy Range chief executive Michael Wilding could not be reached for comment.
