Oreti River Cycle trail proposed again!!

While we successfully challenged the construction of part of the 'Around the Mountain Cycle Trail' a while back the Southland District Council have lodged another application for this. While they have now considered the Mararoa River option their preference is again to go down the pristine Upper Oreti valley. The details can be seen here:

Stage Two Resource Consents | Southland District Council

If you know the area well you'll be horrified I'm sure at the proposed bridge at the narrows near the top of the Patterson Bush beat. The bias shown in some of the expert reports saddens me as does the whole proposal. The economic assessment is overly optimistic in regard to cycle user projections and too pessimistic with regard to the economic benefits of the area as a current tourism destination without the trail.

Its not uncommon when proposals go up for a second time for resistance to drop off as people put in such a large effort in the first time and I fear this will be the case here. Please if you have time make a submission. Be sure to include the affects on amenity to those who use this valley as this was a determining factor for the commissioner last time. Its not just fisherman affected here either. Its hunters, mountain bikers, trampers and the like who currently happily use this wild valley as it is now, free from commercial exploitation.

Submissions have to be in by 3 November 2014.

What a bloody joke. Without even considering the impact on the pristine environment in there, the one they are doing now should be an example and reason enough not to do it. They've blown the budget and are nearly a year overdue getting the bloody thing done. Plus their consultation with landowners was absolutely appalling. Muppets. Drafting a submission now.