The Department of Conservation (DoC) partial review of the Otago Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) is currently open for public feedback until 21st December and it is really important that your support for the planned trail extensions from Tucker Beach to Arthurs Point and from Cromwell to Gibbston (amongst other trail opportunities) are conveyed.
Please take 5 minutes to complete a short submission survey that could help save our proposed trail (and many others in the future):
WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?
Do nothing and the proposed trails from Tucker Beach-Arthurs Point-Arrowtown and the Kawarau Gorge trail from Gibbston to Cromwell are at risk!
DoC have forced a statutory review of the Conservation Management Strategy (CMS) to enable both the Kawarau Gorge trail and the Tucker Beach-Arthurs Point-Arrowtown Trail (and many other trails in the Central Otago region) to be added because these trails cross parcels of Public Conservation Lands which are not currently approved for cycling.
It has disappointed the Queenstown Trails Trust and the Central Otago Queenstown Trails Network Trust, who have worked tirelessly together with DoC to achieve these trails, that DoC has opposed both the Queenstown Trail extension from Arrowtown to Arthurs Point to Tucker Beach and the Kawarau Gorge Trail resource consent applications, citing issues with the CMS amongst other things.
If this partial review doesn't add these parcels, then these two trails and many others cannot be developed, people cannot be employed building these wonderful assets and our communities throughout Central Otago will miss out on the chance to access some incredible PUBLIC land by bike.
DoC's legislative process has already caused significant delays – and expense. Don't let DoC de-rail these projects altogether for at least the next 10 years.
We'd really appreciate your support for both these trails (and others). Our Queenstown and Central Otago Trails are precious assets and DoC cannot be allowed to block these and future trails.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
At present, many parcels of public conservation land is only access by foot not bike, if you want to help change this, simply...
- Download THIS form, fill in the top boxes and email it to DoC at Otago_CMS@doc.govt.nz. Deadline 5pm Monday 21st December.
- Ideally, if you wish to be heard at the hearing it holds more weight - We can help anyone who needs it to compose a short two sentence speech that you can read at the hearing.
