The West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail will bypass a thriving penguin colony at Camerons near Greymouth.
Trustee Ian Davidson-Watts said the cycle trail already passed through penguin areas at Karoro and Paroa and there was a risk that improving access to other parts of the coast in this area could lead to dog attacks. Track construction could also damage or destroy penguin habitat. The Guardians of Paroa have worked hard to build up and protect the penguin colonies in this area and Grey District Council’s Mel Sutherland said the Council did not want to destroy that work by putting the cycle trail in the wrong place.
The Camerons beach is home to around 50 penguin nests, including a colony of approximately 20 breeding pairs.
