15 December 2015

Don’t waste good money on feasibility study for costly road through national park.

Money spent on a feasibility study into building a road through mountainous country across the middle of a national park would be far better spent on a marketing and tourist initiative to promote the Buller region, says Forest & Bird.

Forest & Bird and other environmental groups have been warning the Buller District Council and the Government for many years about the need to find a sustainable economic alternative to coal mining in the region.

Buller District Council has unveiled a proposal to build a road linking Karamea with Nelson through the middle of Kahurangi National Park following the Wangapeka Track route.

“Increased tourism is an obvious answer for the Buller. But building a road in the hope it will attract a few tourists away from other parts of the Buller, such as Murchison, is short-sighted and will be a waste of taxpayers’ money,” says Kevin Hackwell.

“Aside from the fact they want to build a road through a national park, the idea makes no sense economically.

“Earlier in the year Gerry Brownley came out strongly on economic grounds against the latest Haast-Hollyford road proposal, and the same arguments would apply to this idea.

“The proposed Haast - Hollyford road was conservatively estimated at $300m and goes through easier country – so we are probably looking at the thick end of half a billion dollars for this proposal.,” Said Kevin Hackwell.

“For a fraction of that sort of money it would be much better to directly assist the local economy through better support and promotion of its tourism and recreation potential.

“If the Buller Council wanted to specifically help the Karamea economy, then a relatively small amount of money spent on upgrading the airstrip could help tourism, as could upgrading the Wangapeka tramping track and huts.

“The upgraded Wangapeka track could become a new “great walk” and be promoted as the second half of the famous Heaphy track experience.

Forest & Bird is opposed to the proposed road for the following reasons:

Would cut our second largest national park in half.

Would ruin a great walking track that large numbers of trampers enjoy.
Would be a waste of taxpayer money as it would cost a fortune for a road that is: actually longer (30km) - and much more difficult – Nelson to Westport. Has two alpine passes at 1087m and 1007m – these would be the highest road passes in the South Island .

Any local economic benefits would be minor and indirect compared to the cost of construction and maintenance.

Would take money out of one part of the northern Buller economy and move it to another.

Money spent on feasibility studies would be better spent right now on tourism support and promotion.

ENDS

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