An 880 metre, dual use, trail linking Fernhill to Queenstown will be completed by the end of the year.

The walkway, from Cameron Place to Thompson Street, resulted from the collective efforts of the former Town Link Trust, the Wakatipu Trails Trust and the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

"These organisations have been working on this trail for eight years, it?s been a long haul but it?s a wonderful success story, for the two Trusts in particular," Wakatipu Trails Trust chairman John Wilson said.

The Town Link Trust first began planning the walkway in 1997 and handed over the project and the funds they had raised in February this year.

Support from QLDC, which recognised the walkway's potential as a vital arterial link, had made the completion of the project more readily achievable.

"The support from QLDC was the final link required to then be able to secure the shortfall funding of $130,000 from Transfund," Mr Wilson said.

"It was wonderful news for the residents of Fernhill and Sunshine Bay, that after eight years, construction of the walkway was finally due to start," Fernhill resident Garry Bradshaw said.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council had recently advertised the tender to construct the walkway and an opening was planned for the end of the year.

"For the Wakatipu Trails Trust , this project is a great example of the vital role it plays in bringing organisations together to achieve a common goal," Mr Wilson said.

ENDS

For further information please contact John Wilson 03 442 1101or QLDC parks projects manager Anne Relling 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah