Predator Free Stewart Island talks begin
Predator Free Stewart Island talks begin
Feasibility studies on options for the Predator Free Rakiura Halfmoon Bay Project are now out for Stewart Island/Rakiura communities to consider.
The Predator Free Rakiura Governance Group has published three technical reports covering options for predator removal, details of a proposed predator fence, and biosecurity requirements to keep the island predator-free. A summary paper has also been published providing a concise overview of the three technical reports and indicative costs of the project, and touching on possible key issues.
Predator Free Rakiura Governance Group member and Stewart Island resident Sandy King says the scenarios discussed in the reports represent an assessment of the most likely to succeed and realistic options for the removal of predators from the Halfmoon Bay Project area and are designed to stimulate discussion among all communities of interest and stakeholder groups.
“None of the
options in the technical reports are set in stone – no
decisions have yet been made. These reports have been
prepared to support public discussion and are by no means a
final project plan,” Sandy said.
“Members of the
Governance Group care deeply about this special place and
realise that achieving our vision is only possible if all
the communities involved also commit to making it a
reality.”
The Governance Group is holding drop-in
sessions on October 5-6 at the Stewart Island Community
Centre. Sessions will run from 2pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm on
5 October, and 9am-12 noon on 6 October. Authors of the
reports will be attending to answer questions and listen to
feedback.
Anyone who can’t make these sessions can ask
questions and make comments on the Q&A page of the Predator
Free Rakiura website, or talk to any Governance Group
members.
At the same time discussions are beginning on the island, the Governance Group will canvas the views of other communities with an interest in Rakiura via newsletters, meetings and email, and encourage them to read the reports and provide feedback.
Copies of the
reports can be obtained from the Four Square supermarket on
Stewart Island, or downloaded from the Predator Free Rakiura
website:
www.predatorfreestewartisland.org.nz
www.predatorfreerakiura.org.nz
ENDS