Public consultation on walking access set to begin
21 April 2006
Consultation on the issues surrounding walking access to and along rivers, lakes and the coast begins next month and the supporting discussion document Outdoor Walking Access
The consultation process is being carried out by the Walking Access Consultation Panel – a group established to provide an independent perspective and an independent report on the issue to the Government.
The seven member panel has a wide range of experience and expertise, particularly in rural, environmental and land use issues, and is led by South Canterbury farmer John Acland.
"New Zealanders value access to the great outdoors, but landholders and outdoor enthusiasts often disagree about how and where access should be allowed," Mr Acland says.
"To ensure appropriate access is guaranteed for current and future generations, we're working to create a consensus about formal access to land for recreation."
The panel has proposed a key aim and principles around the issue which are set out in the discussion document.
"Essentially our guiding aim is that New Zealanders should have fair and reasonable access on foot to and along rivers, lakes and the coast," Mr Acland explains.
The main principles outlined in "Outdoor Walking Access" are that:
- access should be free to non-commercial users, certain and enduring;
- people exercising their right of access should take proper care of the environment and not interfere with private property or activities;
- information about land that is open to the public for recreational use should be readily available;
- restoring reservations to water margins should be pursued, provided it can be fair to all parties; and
- new access to and along water margins and other public land is to be established by negotiation and agreement.
"We're really keen to listen to the views of the wider public on these principles – whether they're appropriate and if we're on the right track," says John Acland.
He says the nationwide consultation meetings, beginning on May 16, are an opportunity for people to discuss the issues and potential solutions face to face. The panel would also like to receive written submissions and the closing date for this is 30 June 2006.
The current consultation process builds on work done in 2003 by the former Land Access Ministerial Reference Group, which highlighted the issues. The Government at the time considered legislation that would have provided for the creation of footways along the coast, around lakes and along rivers. However, it announced in June 2005 that it was not proceeding, and that further consultation was needed to find greater consensus.
"This consultation process is not about former proposals or the 'right to roam'. "Our work now is focused on walking access to and along rivers, lakes and the coast."
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
John Acland, Chair, Walking Access Consultation Group
Ph +64 3 696 3857 – available from 6.30am, Friday 21 April
Lesley Patston, Senior Communications Adviser
Ph +64 4 819 0163 or +64 27 205 1418
