23 February 2009
The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association (NZDA) makes the following submission on the Crown land resulting from this expired Pastoral Occupation Licence (POL).
NZDA is the national association of deerstalkers and other big game hunters, with 50 branches and hunting member clubs throughout New Zealand. NZDA has 7500 members, and has been actively advocating for recreational deerstalking and hunting, running hunter training courses, trips, conferences etc since 1937. NZDA sets and maintains ethical standards for hunting.
A number of NZDA Branches have an interest in hunting in this part of the Rock and Pillars, of which this access and surrender will open the way. They include Otago (Dunedin), North Otago (Oamaru), Southern Lakes(Queenstown & Alexandra), South Otago (Balclutha). Other branch members and independent recreational hunters will also be interested. There are an estimated 60,000 big game recreational hunters in New Zealand.
Summary:
Riverslea is a north-facing lease situated on the northern end of the Rock and Pillar Range, south of Waipiata and Ranfurly. The lease is of 1590 Ha. 810 Ha (CA) is proposed for surrender to conservation area, is on the southern, higher part of the lease, rising from 900 m to almost 1200 m. CA is subject to a grazing concession to phase out grazing over 4 years. It consists of tall tussock and herbfields, and wide-spaced high points with tors.
Most drainage of CA and the proposed freehold is into the Cap Burn. There is also an easement to the grazer linking two parts on CA. It is likely to form part of a more extensive conservation area, as Tenure Review proceeds.CA provides recreational opportunities for recreational hunting (pigs, goats, possibly deer, rabbits, hares, some gamebirds), tramping, mountain-biking, horse riding, limited 4WD-ing etc.
The remaining 780 Ha is proposed for freeholding, subject to a 15Ha covenant, and a public access easement, including vehicle access from 1 November to 1 May. It forms part of a possible north-south traverse of the Rock and Pillar Range, so is strategically important.
Public Access and recreation:
Access easement a-b-c and b-d gives public access up the western boundary by a farm track, from
the end of a tracked legal road, for public foot, horse, and with a firearm and dog, and non-motorised vehicle access to CA. A special easement condition will allow public vehicle access from 1 November to 1 May. A locked gate will require a key from DOC Alexandra.
NZDA promotes the concept of a Rock and Pillar Conservation Park, of which CA is a part, which will protect the Rock and Pillar range for the recreational pursuits mentioned in this proposal. The area is near to Dunedin, and so is an opportunity for the people of Dunedin to experience the untamed back-country environment for which the Rock and Pillars is well known. NZDA supports the remaining leases in the area proceeding through Tenure Review.
Conclusion: NZDA supports the Preliminary Proposal. It has been fully researched, and looks to the future. Allowing public vehicle access 6 months of the year, subject to conditions is a sensible approach that NZDA applauds. Unlike many PPs, the public access provisions are sensible and fair.
NZDA’s only concern is that the public have no rights to contest change or disputation of public access, and the agreements are solely between DOC and the freehold owners, with no involvement rights for the public, should disputes occur, or should DOC and the owner agree to vary the access easement. These are generic faults of the Crown Pastoral Lands Act, and its paternalistic approach, rather than this PP.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
© 2011 New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association