16 March 2007

Rural women’s safety at risk if land access opened up

Rural Women New Zealand is calling for more consideration to be given to the safety of rural families if recommendations by the Land Access Panel go ahead.

The Panel’s report, which recommends the establishment of the New Zealand Access Commission – Te Ara o Papatuanuku, does not do enough to address security issues for women alone in isolated rural areas according to RWNZ National President Sherrill Dackers.

“In the main the report is to be commended, but it is imperative that more thought be focused on the safety and security of rural families, wives and children” said Mrs Dackers.

The report says suggestions about rural crime and security fall outside the scope of an access organisation. The report makes some suggestions for rural policing and strengthening Neighbourhood Watch schemes, while recommending the development of a voluntary code of conduct.

“The Panel’s recommendations for a Code of Responsible Conduct will provide useful guidelines for responsible walkers, but the Code is likely to have little effect on the criminal elements of society who may misuse the increased opportunities which identifying paper roads will provide,” said Mrs Dackers. “For rural families these are very real concerns.”

Rural Women New Zealand supports the Panel’s view that private roads marked on topographical maps must be readily distinguishable from public roads. Our organisation is aware of access disputes where private roads have been incorrectly defined. We therefore urge that landowners are consulted to ensure private roads are correctly marked on maps, rather than relying on territorial authorities’ records.

ENDS

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