TRAIL MAINTENANCE STANDARDS FOR THE QUEENSTOWN BIKE PARK
Track Construction and Maintenance
Skyline Enterprises are committed to maintaining the Hammy’s Trail, via a management agreement with QLDC,
which specifies roles and responsibilities.
The specification below sets out the requirements for the maintenance of the current mapped bike trails
excluding Hammy’s.
Track Maintenance Standards
The following track maintenance standards have been developed by QLDC and the Mountain Bike Club, this
document outlines the standards that contractors/leases/track sponsors should adhere to.
This standard sets out the requirements for the maintenance of the existing mountain bike tracks within the
Queenstown Bike Park. Inspection, maintenance and operation must comply with the general safety
requirements of the New Zealand Handbook, tracks and Outdoor Visitor Structures, standards New Zealand SNZ
HB: 2004. Inspection and servicing records must be kept by the contractor of all maintenance and inspection
work carried out.
The scope of the work includes the maintenance of all mapped trails including structures, and culvert or drainage
pipes that form part of these trails as outlined in the following specifications below. The scope of the work
excludes the maintenance of signage and the Hammys trails.
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1.1
Definitions
Deformation/Slumpage/Scour
Deformation is any area of the trail which has lifted or dropped or an area where storm water or bike breaking
has eroded the surface.
Potholed, Deformed – where the trail incision, soil loss, or rut exceeds 15 cm depth
Windfalls - Any fallen tree, shrub or part thereof which obstructs the trail surface or passage by users.
Structures -Includes bridges, boardwalks, ramps, view platforms, barriers, steps, , staircases, stiles, and access
barriers (such as chicanes, bollards & fencing).
1.2
Vegetation
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1.3
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Trails and track surfaces shall be maintained to a minimum weed free condition by chemical control. All
surfaces shall initially be in a 90% weed free condition for the length of the trail and thereafter returned
to this condition before weed cover exceeds 10% coverage by area or 50mm in height.
A vegetation free envelope should be maintained clear of impeding vegetation 500mm either side of the
trail surface to a minimum height of 2,500mm. This is to ensure users have a clear passage and an
unimpeded view of the trail.
Vegetation is to be cut back to minimum height of 2.5m above the trail surface.
Vegetation must be cut flush at ground level.
Do not slash or scar remaining vegetation.
When pruning trees the cut should be made where the branch meets the branch collar as per accepted
arboricultural practices.
Windfalls blocking the trail are to be cleared and cut back at least 1.5m either side of the trail edge.
Trails are to be closed until Windfalls are cleared.
Drainage
Culverts are to be clear and working at both ends.
Broken culverts are to be replaced, making sure they are bedded in firmly and there is at least 100mm
of well compacted aggregate on top. Culvert pipe shall not be visible. Rock can be used for screening
purposes. Broken culverts should be replaced with same size unless it is obvious this is inadequate.
Pipes shall be 160mm minimum diameter and smooth walled.
Culverts should be bedded in firmly. Where the top surface of the culvert is exposed this area should
be recovered with at least 100mm of well compacted aggregate.
All side drains are to be clean and clear of obstructions at all times i.e. not blocked and working. Dig out
side drain if required to ensure drainage is effective.
If material in side drain is suitable then utilise on track surface. If not, dispose of the material away from
track surface while, at the same time, protecting surrounding vegetation.
Side drains should be cleared to original depth and width.
Scouring of track surface must be attended to by locating the water source and directing it away from
the track.
Any muddy, wet sections of track will require suitable drainage installed and possibly aggregate for the
surface, to eliminate water from the area.
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1.4
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1.5
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Surface
Any areas of trail that have potholed, deformed (ruts exceeding 15 cm depth) shall be reinstated or
repaired.
Manage the trail surface to minimise water scouring, direct water runoff from trail surface and to reduce
uneven surface deformation.
Where practical trails shall be reinstated with materials similar to the original surface. Where the nature
of the fault precludes repair with similar materials then the best alternative material shall be utilised.
The finished surface of the repair shall match the surrounding trail.
Any weeds or grass growing through either gravel or hardened surface on trail shall be removed.
Weeds
Any noxious weeds (as per the Otago Regional Council (ORC) Noxious Weeds Schedule) are to be
removed from the trail surface and within 2 metres either side of the formed trail surface.
In addition to the Otago Regional Councils noxious, the following species must also be removed:
 Buddleia – Buddleja sp.
 Honey Suckle – Lonicera sp.
 Sycamore – Acer pseudoplatanus
 Hawthorne – Crateagus
 Hemlock – Conium maculatum
 Elderberry – Sambucas nigra
 Himalayan Honeysuckle – Leycesteria formosa
 Blackberry – Rubus fruiticosus
 Larch (Larix deidua), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) less than 75mm D.B.H
(Diameter at Breast height)
Plants under 300mm shall be sprayed using a systemic herbicide at the manufacturers recommended application
rate. Larger plants shall be scrub cut and the re-growth sprayed
1.6
Structures
All trail structures must be maintained to the New Zealand Standard for tracks and Outdoor Visitor Structures.
1.7 Trails
Maintenance
Maintenance inspections are to review the trail for:
 Safety
 To verify difficulty
 For presence and condition
 Review for constructed features
 For structural integrity
The following table details the trails in the Queenstown Bike Park:
Trail
Original
Vertigo
Thingymajig
Grundy
Ants Track
Armageddon
Rating
Intermediate
Intermediate
Expert
Expert
Extreme
Expert
Description
Intermediate Blue Square
Intermediate Blue Square
Black Diamond Expert
Splits into two off original black diamond
Double Black Diamond Extreme
Black Diamond Expert
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Structures
4*
Single track sandwich
Rock Garden
World Cup
Hobbit
Fantrail
Expert
Expert
Extreme
Extreme
Extreme
1 bridge
Black Diamond Expert
Black Diamond Expert
Double Black Diamond Extreme
Double Black Diamond Extreme
Double Black Diamond Extreme
*Structures on Thingymajig: The main structure on this trail has been in place for some time, it has been nailed into trees,
which is not normally approved. The structure is on a black diamond track and is fairly sturdy and no more than 1 meter off
the ground, and around 0.5m in width (wider in places). This structure needs to be assessed and may need to be upgraded
or removed from the track.
The other three structures on Thingymajig are two small ladder drops and one very small bridge (marked on map)
Trail maintained by Skyline:
Structures
Trail
Hammy's
Hammy’s Link
1.8
Rating
Easy
Intermediate
Description
Maintained by Skyline
Maintained by Skyline
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Mountain bikers grading system
The MTB track symbols are based on the New Zealand Standard – Design and Application of Outdoor
Recreation Symbols (NZS 8603:2005). There are two sets of symbols, one with supplementary text and one
without.
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