Media statement
Embargoed until 1.00pm
7 March 2007

Walking Access Report a source of encouragement

United Future outdoor recreation spokesman Gordon Copeland has welcomed the release of the independent report on walking access from the John Acland led Walking Access Consultation Panel.

The progression of non-statutory proposals to negotiate improved access along rivers, lakes and foreshore was included in the Confidence and Supply Agreement between United Future and the Government following the 2005 election.

“I am very glad to see the Government honouring this principle,” said Mr Copeland.

“United Future made a submission to the Acland Panel which included a range of proposals and I am delighted to see that these have been taken on board.

“The recommendations of the Panel include United Future policy relating to the establishment of a land access agency (Te Ara o Papatuanuku), the availability of information about existing access and unformed ‘paper’ roads (including better cadastral hard copy maps) and a workable code of conduct.

“I also wish to acknowledge the work on the Panel of Mr Bryce Johnson of Fish and Game New Zealand. Bryce has offered a number of alternative recommendations, which I sincerely hope the Government takes into account.

"The points that Bryce makes regarding the arbitrary four-hectare rule in relation to subdivision-derived esplanade reserves and the importance of rolling back the trend towards ‘exclusive capture’ are deserving of particular attention.

“I hope that this report will pave the way for a land access agency to oversee negotiations between landowners and recreational users so that both can be satisfied that property rights and walking access along the coastline and rivers, around lakes and to public land will be preserved for future generations of Kiwis,” concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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