Waitakere Public Meeting 07 October 2003
The Kelston Community Centre, 126 Awaroa Road, Henderson
7pm to 9pm
16 Attended
Commentary
· Question asked about the width of rivers that require a Queen's Chain.
- Territorial authorities are not applying the RMA.
- Question about moveable marginal strips.
· View that the Crown wants to acquire valuable land without paying for it, by using terms such as `deeming'.
· Small blocks of land could be severely affected by permitting public access.
· Reference to the `sunset idea' in Chapter 10 relating to a Queen's Chain.
· It is utterly wrong for the Crown to take land for the public, it should compensate.
· Landowners should still have to give permission.
· People cross land without seeking permission.
· Concern about the public right of access close to houses etc.
· There is a bias in the groups spoken to regarding this issue.
· Representatives have not come here with open minds, the proposals seem to be a fait accompli.
· Regarding the conduct of people on the land, how could the card system (as noted in the report) work?
· For Auckland farmers, the situation is totally different to that of South Island farmers.
- Farmers in Auckland are adjacent to a very large population.
- Give permission for access, but people do not care.
- City people may live in rural areas, but they do not have the same values.
- Feel threatened by the proposals.
· If all of the Queen's Chain were opened up, a lot of land that is not accessible would be damaged.
· Discussion of the exclusive capture of the angling resource.
· Comment about territorial authorities requiring esplanade reserves along very narrow strips of land.
· Why can't the same rules apply to Maori land?
· Problems with cannabis growing.
· The Group did not have people with experience in managing land adjacent to coastal areas or consult with such people.
· There should be a `back-off' regarding the deeming idea.
- The Government should buy land on the free market if it wants to improve access.
· There are better ways to achieve access, e.g. the Government buying it.
· Want to see everyone treated fairly - if people acquire riparian land, they should not have to have the threat of a Queen's Chain being imposed.
· Not enough consideration is given to property rights.
· Anglers are concerned about the erosion of the Queen's Chain and the loss of access.
- Do not want to be like England because access is closed off.
· Reference to Stoney Batter.
- If we do not put something in place, we will not be able to go anywhere.
· Substantial rivers and lakes, the foreshore and seas should have access, smaller streams should be excluded.
- There should be one simple rule for all.
· Access to forests is largely excluded.
· The water and fish are owned by everyone and the public should have a right of access.
- Do not expect wander at will right.
- There are examples where councils have given away access rights.
- Would welcome some overarching controls to avoid problems.
- Object to a landowner controlling access to the fishery for commercial gain.
- Accepts need for access controls, e.g. lambing and ploughed paddocks.
- Landowners should be relieved of OSH responsibilities.
· It is very important to proceed vigorously with what is proposed and expanded.
- Would like greater knowledge of what is available.
- Any solution has to cope with landowner concerns.
· Private landowners need to be negotiated with, but the Waitakere City Council is already imposing its rules.
- The Waitakere City Council `is over the top'.
- The Council has very tight rules, whereas Rodney District Council offers compensation.
- What about considering rates relief?
· Imposing access would seriously devalue land.
- Anglers etc should push regional councils to purchase land rather than imposing access.
- New Zealanders should not pay the penalty of imposed access because of foreign owners.
- Ratepayers in district councils cannot afford to develop legal roads.
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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