Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 174 Location: tinakori
Posted: Wed 20/Sep/06 9:53am Post subject: Submissions Needed - Whanganui National Park
DOC is currently seeking submissions on its draft management plan for the Whanganui National Park. They have made the point that the Bridge to Nowhere ride is actually outside the National park, so is not bound by this review. This is what they say:
"Mountain biking
The Mangapurua Track has been identified by the New Zealand Mountain Biking
Association (as the Bridge to Nowhere Track) as one of a ‘shortlist’ of tracks
which provide access into national parks and have significant potential for
cross-country mountain biking.
Recent changes to national policy allow for the use of formed roads in national
parks by mountain bikes under certain limited circumstances. They may only
use routes (if any) which are specifically approved in national park
management plans and only where
• Adverse effects on national park values can be minimised;
• The track standard is suitable; and
• The benefit, use and enjoyment of other people can be protected.
However, as noted above, the line of the former Mangapurua Road is not within
the national park and use of the Mangapurua Track by mountain bikes cannot
be provided for or regulated through this plan. The issue will instead need to
be addressed through a separate review of the Wanganui Conservancy’s
Conservation Management Strategy.
In the meantime, mountain bikes are legally entitled to be used on the section
of the track which follows the legal road, and may be used on the scenic reserve
providing no damage is caused to the reserve (including the track itself)."
Anyway, if people can get some submissions in on this to DOC saying, yes, what a great idea it is to be able to ride this track, and what about seasonal access to other tracks in the Park such as the Matemateoanga Walkway which was identified by NZMBA as a track suitible for mountain biking. More info on the DOC site
http://www.doc.govt.nz/Explore/001~National-Parks/Whanganui-National-Pblahblahblah
Submissions close at the end of the month
inzane wrote:
I just got sent this by email. Wish I had seen it earlier!! Submissions have to be in by tomorrow!!
Your submission might open a fantastic piece of single track for mountainbikers!!
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,571 Location: churchur
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 11:47am Post subject:
Colin wrote:
Be careful if using the letter Zane has linked.
It includes two recommendation 3's. The 2nd one is a duplicate of recommendation 2 relating to the Kaiwhakauka Track.
Be part of saying mountain biking is a valid use of NZ's great outdoors people. Get a submission in the mail.
Yes, it does repeat itself a little, but for those of us too lazy to write our own submission I figure it is better to say something (even if it is said twice) than to say nothing at all.
Just think of it as hammering the point home.
If sending in a submission also note that Recommendation 4 refers to "having walked the track ...". Change this to "knowing someone who has walked the track ..."
Also there are three bullet points at the end. The second refers to supporting no commercial events in the park. If you like multisport events delete this bullet point.
The third point opposes commercial mountainbiking. If you dont oppose commercial operators getting more folks into biking and the outdoors then delete this bullet point.
My submission is in the mail.
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,571 Location: churchur
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 11:56am Post subject:
gordster wrote:
ahh good point Colin. This is something I put together based on the NZ MTB submission.
I emailed it out to a few people and it seems to have gotten its way onto Vorb
Good work Gordster. I think that many people would like to make a difference and see trails like this opened to mountain bikers, but for what ever reasons will not make a submission because that takes too much time and energy. Having a pre-written letter that they print out and sign their name to is an excellent way to increase the number of submissions. I dont think it matters if they are all saying (exactly) the same thing as long as we have a more people submitting.
I will update my link to your corrected document...
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,571 Location: churchur
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 12:03pm Post subject:
1scotty1 wrote:
If sending in a submission also note that Recommendation 4 refers to "having walked the track ...". Change this to "knowing someone who has walked the track ..."
Also there are three bullet points at the end. The second refers to supporting no commercial events in the park. If you like multisport events delete this bullet point.
The third point opposes commercial mountainbiking. If you dont oppose commercial operators getting more folks into biking and the outdoors then delete this bullet point.
My submission is in the mail.
Maybe people could draft a letter, submit it to vorbers for a peer review, then post the letter on here??
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 174 Location: tinakori
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 12:03pm Post subject:
personally, I don't really want to see "multisport" events through this park, and lets just concentrate on getting bike access first. The idea of thousands of multisporters goign through the parks is likely to send shivers down the spine of the conservancy board. The idea with this submission is to ask for the achievable goals, not unrealistic ones.
This park is pretty isolated and doesn't get many visitors. Will be interesting to see if the draft plan is changed.
Joined: Dec 25, 2001 Posts: 33,694 Location: Liberty City
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 12:05pm Post subject:
gordster wrote:
personally, I don't really want to see "multisport" events through this park, and lets just concentrate on getting bike access first. The idea of thousands of multisporters goign through the parks is likely to send shivers down the spine of the conservancy board. The idea with this submission is to ask for the achievable goals, not unrealistic ones.
This park is pretty isolated and doesn't get many visitors. Will be interesting to see if the draft plan is changed.
I think the park would make a fantastic "adventure race" destination which is more like dozens of people strangling through the park rather than thousands of multisporters charging through it.
I've taken your version, added some of my experiences, made some minor modifications, and are printing it out right now.
Joined: Feb 23, 2005 Posts: 6,571 Location: churchur
Posted: Thu 28/Sep/06 12:13pm Post subject:
gordster wrote:
personally, I don't really want to see "multisport" events through this park, and lets just concentrate on getting bike access first. The idea of thousands of multisporters goign through the parks is likely to send shivers down the spine of the conservancy board. The idea with this submission is to ask for the achievable goals, not unrealistic ones.
This park is pretty isolated and doesn't get many visitors. Will be interesting to see if the draft plan is changed.
I agree, get bikes in first, but dont rule out other events. The impact of an event would be assessed before DOC would give permission.
I think that the park could make a great place for an event too. In my experience events will raise the profile of the place held, add some money to the coffers for the park (maybe help maintain trails and facilities) and get more people into some great place in NZ. There is some fantastic country in there and the only way that some people may discover it is through doing an event there.
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