Dunedin Public Meeting 13 October 2003
Southern Cross Hotel, Cnr Princess and High Street
7pm to 9pm
100 Attended
Commentary
· Roads along rivers needed legislation before they could be stopped (until 1952).
- Should we reinstate this requirement?
· Grateful for Brian Hayes' work.
- There is a range of mechanisms with the force of law - some are deficient.
- The Group does not seem to have looked at what would make those work.
· The report seems quiet on the issues of dogs.
- The landowner grants access if asked.
- Any changes would need a tremendous education process.
- Many people do not understand farming.
· Constraints are increasing on access.
- Do not want a proliferation of `no trespassing'.
- Tenure review has created many problems (artificial access points).
- Walking is good for people and they should not resist it.
· Access to land is something that we have been brought up with, but a lot of people would close up access.
- Overseas investors are buying up land - what can be done if they want to close access?
· Before an overseas buyer purchases land, could a marginal strip be laid off?
· Endorse comments in the report on tenure review.
· Hunting and dogs: Large areas of road reserves and marginal strips are adjacent to farmland and not complaints about dogs have been received.
· A farmer has use of the Queen's Chain at no cost.
- There are not many places in England where one can fish for trout and salmon.
- There are beaches overseas where the public is restricted/prohibited (Nice, Hawaii).
- The Queen's Chain is not a myth!
- Why did early surveyors put in roads?
- There should be a Queen's Chain along the coast and rivers and to always be 20 metres.
- If a farmer uses the Queen's Chain, then what is the problem if the public has access?
- If there was a 20-metre access from bridges, there should not be a need to cross private land.
· Concerned about DOC `locking up' land - why do people need to cross private land when DOC is making it difficult to use public land?
- If accessways are opened up, how do we control people?
- It is all right if people ask.
· Concerns in the farming sector about OSH.
- Stock management/control (and if someone is injured by stock if they are let loose); biosecurity (disease) risks.
- Compensation if freehold titles are adjusted.
- Need for education (roles and responsibilities; regulations).
· Availability of public information `just about impossible to find'.
- It is absolutely imperative that it needs to be made public.
- There should be an absolute defence if there is a reason.
- There is cause to believe that access exists until LINZ makes information available.
· Farmer has not denied access but often asked to assist people who have had problems.
- Marked access would be helpful.
- People should make the effort to find out who the landowners are.
· Tramping club: Understood the New Zealand access tradition - this tradition is still alive.
· Is there any potential for links with the foreshore and seabed issue that may assist the access topic?
· `Exclusive capture' of fish - an amendment to the Conservation Act is not sufficient - if it is made an offence, it needs a follow up to allow access - a marginal strip might be necessary.
· Exclusive capture is widespread (including in Maniapoto).
· Was PANZ consulted?
· Endorse the report.
- The `clarity and certainty' principle is the most important.
- Access is a privilege, but it is often very difficult to find out who a landowner is.
- There is a large need for education (in schools as well).
· Law or the lore?
- Responsibilities being put onto someone else.
· What about people who want access up a river to go duck shooting?
· It is very important to protect the Queen's Chain, need to act decisively now.
· The mechanisms in the report could be a Trojan horse.
- A major task for the Group to grapple seriously with PANZ's strategy.
- PANZ is interested in a solution, not problems.
· The Government promised to complete the Queen's Chain.
· Were DOC and regional councils consulted?
· What size is a river?
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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