Anti-monorail Petition Goes To Beehive

Anti-monorail Petition Presented to local MP Opponents of a proposed Fiordland monorail project will present their 18,000-signature petition to Clutha-Southland MP Bill English today (Tuesday 18 March).

Save Fiordland Inc executive members Frana Cardno and Claire Maley-Shaw, and Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand President Robin McNeill have travelled to the Beehive to make the presentation.

Save Fiordland and its supporters have been gathering signatures to be placed before the House of Representatives since the monorail concession application became a public process in 2012.

The proposed route is through 30 km of forest and river valleys within the Southwest NZ/Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

Today’s presentation comes ahead of Conservation Minister Nick Smith’s decision on whether to grant a concession to the proposal for the world’s longest monorail. The decision is pending a report on the financial viability of the project.

Save Fiordland chairman Bill Jarvie said signatures and pledges of support had come from throughout New Zealand and overseas.

A significant proportion is from international tourists visiting Te Anau and Fiordland. Once informed of the facts they have been very willing to register their disapproval.

Save Fiordland has recorded growing opposition to the proposal as details have become better known. In addition to the hard copy petition, a parallel online petition has reached close to 10,000 signatures. This version has allowed those unable to physically sign to register their opposition.

Mr Jarvie said Save Fiordland will continue to gather signatures to add to those presented yesterday and expects the total to exceed 20,000 in the near future.

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