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Post by Brent George on Apr 5, 2018 2:38:49 GMT
This is another example of "cause" and "effect" - Business day (Stuff) 4-April-2018
- First there was high country pastoral lease (leasehold) land; - Then came Tenure Review, including the retirement of the high high-country to become part of the DoC Estate; - And that Tenure Review included provisions for access over freehold high country land so that the public could enjoy the DoC estate (and other special areas); - And now the cracks appear to be showing with regard to the provision of amenities for those that are enjoying the access.
The statement from Jen Millar (Forest and Bird) seems to sum it up: "There has been an utter absence of planning for the rise in tourism and an unrealistic expectation on DOC to look after areas on a tight budget. Something needs to be done."
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Post by Mark Geddes on Apr 5, 2018 22:39:03 GMT
I agree with Jen there. DoC has been given a huge responsibility to look after the land but the lack of a decent budget and other resources are clearly evident. It would have been good if resourcing for DoC to preserve and enhance our environment and tourism in a sustainable way could have been an election issue. Ultimately, the tourist dollar and preserving Crown land for conservation and recreation are in all of our interests.
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Post by Brent George on Jun 21, 2018 23:01:16 GMT
This is not - strictly speaking - "high country", but the issue around creating public access walking tracks to existing remote sites of interest is related. Stuff - 21-June-2018.
In this case, part of the conditions of purchase of the Kawakawa Station by an overseas buyer included the provision of walking access through the farm (up a river) to an existing hut. This has not subsequently been provided, and so there is now a dispute between owner and the various entities of Crown (Walking Access Commission; OIO; and DoC).
It will be interesting to see what "teeth" the OIO have in enforcing this condition.....
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