NZFWDA News
Public access mapping contract signed
The Walking Access Commission has signed a contract with Terralink International to map public access - walking and other - across New Zealand. It is a project that will break new ground technically and in its usefulness. The system is planned to be available on the web. Viewers will need to print off the maps/information they require.
An outline of the system can be downloaded
2010 NZFWDA Conference and AGM
NZFWDA clubs should be organising to have their delegate/s attend the 2010 meetings. A guest speaker will be Mrt Rob Kelly, the president of Four Wheel Drive Australia www.anfwdc.asn.au
Defining the value of legal roads .... a video
In a numerical ranking of different access mechanisms, public roads came out the winner, by a long mile. Whereas the Commission's preference for easements over private land, are next to worthless — they cannot be taken seriously for securing public access.
The address was in the form of a DVD movie prepared especially for the occasion. It was well received from the floor, including from farming representatives. I did however hear doubts from a couple of the Commission members — a case of seeing difficulties where none exist. It remains to be seen whether any changes occur to the Commission's National Strategy, and more importantly, in their outlook.
You are invited to view this on YouTube, and to make up your own mind.
'Achieving Certain Access' is now on YouTube as two parts. You can access this by either: www.youtube.com/user/recreationaccessnz
... Or via the RANZ website: www.recreationaccess.org.nz
Ultimately, it will only be public pressure that will persuade the Commission to alter its approach.
How about letting the Commission know your views? contact@walkingaccess.govt.nz
...as well as myself bruce@recreationaccess.org.nz
Recreation Access argue for unformed legal roads
All going well there will be regular updates from RANZ on outdoor issues throughout 2010.
RANZ now has its own Channel on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/recreationaccessnz
Please bookmark the above and the RANZ web site for future reference
http://www.recreationaccess.org.nz
My
first project for the new decade is a video rebuttal of the opinion of
MAF, and their advisers, that it is not possible to create new unformed
roads over private land. This is a critically important matter for all
outdoor recreationists.
If the resultant official policy, that
in future only easements over private land will be sought for public
access rather than public roads, then the certainty of unhindered
passage over roads could be replaced by much inferior privileges.
Unformed roads are potentially most at risk – all 56,000 km of them –
from extinguishment and realignment of access as easements.
Before
Christmas I challenged the official position at a public meeting with
representatives of the Walking Access Commission. They had no answers
to my criticism, and showed no interest in my offer to brief the
Commission's CEO on the findings of my research or in the papers I
handed to him. So be warned – their policy line is well entrenched –
their political masters will have to be persuaded to intervene. It
appears that, these days, unless you are a mining or other commercial
plunderer of the outdoors, only noise and friction – lots of it – has
any effect on the business of Government.
You and your recreational organisation must take an active interest in this issue and lobby Government, right up to PM level.
Ask the outnumbered recreation members of the Walking Access Commission what they are doing about it...
Brian Stephenson brian@bwstephenson.com
Brian
is a barrister with extensive experience in employment law and dispute
resolution. He is a past president of Federated Mountain Clubs of New
Zealand.
Dr Kay Booth kay@lindis.co.nz
Kay
is a tourism and recreation consultant with twenty years experience in
parks and recreation research and planning. She has held executive
positions with non-government conservation and recreation organisations.
The
Bushey Park Road Saga is viewable on YouTube as a 10 min overview or as
a 60 minute documentary (in nine parts). I can supply the hour doco as
a DVD at $20 per disk (donations also appreciated).
Email orders and payment details: bruce@recreationaccess.org.nz
Please make cheques out to 'Recreation Access New Zealand'
Bruce Mason
Web site crash
On January 16th, the web server crashed and in the process corrupted the database which stored a large amount of our web site's content. Unfortunately we were unable to recover any data from the corrupted files.
Although it was largely the fault of our web hosting provider, we will be taking extra precautions ourselves by keeping our own database backups so to prevent such a huge loss should the same situation repeat itself.
We have begun to rebuild the sites content and bring things back up to date. If you notice any content that is in-correct and you have the updated information, please get in contact with us.
I apologise for the inconvenience this has caused and thank you for your paitence.
Recreation Access NZ argue for unformed roads
RANZ now has its own Channel on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/recreationaccessnz
Please bookmark the above and the RANZ web site for future reference
http://www.recreationaccess.org.nz
My
first project for the new decade is a video rebuttal of the opinion of
MAF, and their advisers, that it is not possible to create new unformed
roads over private land. This is a critically important matter for all
outdoor recreationists.
If the resultant official policy, that
in future only easements over private land will be sought for public
access rather than public roads, then the certainty of unhindered
passage over roads could be replaced by much inferior privileges.
Unformed roads are potentially most at risk – all 56,000 km of them –
from extinguishment and realignment of access as easements.
Before
Christmas I challenged the official position at a public meeting with
representatives of the Walking Access Commission. They had no answers
to my criticism, and showed no interest in my offer to brief the
Commission's CEO on the findings of my research or in the papers I
handed to him. So be warned – their policy line is well entrenched –
their political masters will have to be persuaded to intervene. It
appears that, these days, unless you are a mining or other commercial
plunderer of the outdoors, only noise and friction – lots of it – has
any effect on the business of Government.
You and your recreational organisation must take an active interest in this issue and lobby Government, right up to PM level.
Ask the outnumbered recreation members of the Walking Access Commission what they are doing about it...
Brian Stephenson brian@bwstephenson.com
Brian
is a barrister with extensive experience in employment law and dispute
resolution. He is a past president of Federated Mountain Clubs of New
Zealand.
Dr Kay Booth kay@lindis.co.nz
Kay
is a tourism and recreation consultant with twenty years experience in
parks and recreation research and planning. She has held executive
positions with non-government conservation and recreation organisations.
St James Conservation area operational plan released
The full plan is available as a PDF from the above website. The key points for 4x4 are that DOC intend to stop all legal roads through St James and will be 'controling and limiting' vehicle access as below.
Vehicles
Motorised vehicles have the potential to do great damage to the biodiversity
values and affect the visitor experience by conflicting with other recreational
users who have arrived to experience solitude. They also pose a risk of fire,
weed importation and pollution. Controlling and limiting vehicle access will
minimise the threats.
There are existing 4WD tracks over both Maling and Edwards passes. The use
of the passes to gain further access into St James has been considered,
including minimising any potential adverse effects. Users who would benefit
from access over the passes as far as the Waiau River are hunters, fishers, 4WD
enthusiasts and water based activities such as rafting/kayaking and canoeing.
Action:
• Provide controlled vehicular access as far as the Waiau River via Maling and
Edwards passes, subject to road conditions, climate, fire threat and
biodiversity impacts