Southland's council has chosen the cheapest option to finish a controversial cycle trail that has been stalled for several years.
Part of the Around the Mountains Cycle Trail in Southland. Photo: Around the Mountains Cycle Trail
The $10 million Around the Mountains Trail south of Queenstown has not been completed because of a major budget blowout and a court battle with Fish and Game over the route
The council lost the court case after spending almost $1 million in legal costs
Three options presented to the council yesterday ranged in cost from $120,000 to $4 million.
Councillors have chosen the simplest option, which would tidy up the existing sections and leave a fifth of the trail on public roads.
The council will put the decision out for public consultation early next year.