June 26, 2008

MEDIA STATEMENT

Ashley River/Rakahuri-Saltwater Creek Estuary access for whitebaiters: interim solution prevails, through sand dunes and to beach side of dunes

Environment Canterbury councillors have voted to endorse an interim vehicle access route for whitebaiters to North Canterbury’s Ashley River mouth this coming season. The whitebaiting season for most of New Zealand (not the West Coast) begins August 15 and runs to November 30.

The majority of councillors agreed to the interim solution prevailing for 2008 and also agreed to investigate sharing the cost of a ranger with Waimakariri District in future.

“A longer-term solution which meets the needs of most groups as well as protecting the coastal environment is being investigated with the Northern Pegasus Bay community,” said ECan chief executive Dr Bryan Jenkins.

The interim route, which was agreed to last season with Waimakariri District Council, takes vehicles through a gate at Waikuku Beach, up through the sand dunes and along the beach to the mouth of the river.

“This marked route causes less damage to the nearby estuary than skirting the estuarine edge on the other side,” Dr Jenkins said. Signs guide drivers along the agreed-to access route for the south side of the river mouth.

ENDS

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