Doc User Group Meeting Notes from 3 March, 2010 Honora Renwick
To summarize, we had a small turn out as DoC keep mucking around with the meeting schedule dates. There was the usual treasury emphasis on expenditure for the front country for tourism. This means we will all have to get off our butts and keep the back country in good heart with track and possibly hut work while this govt. is in power.
If you wish to attend these meetings they are at the DoC office at 31 Nga Mahi Rd in Sockburn. The next meeting is on June 2 and starts at 7.30pm. You attend these meetings on the understanding that you represent a club. This effectively excludes majority representation of DoC estate “visitors” as most don’t belong to clubs. DoC have set up a link on their website http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/volunteer-join-or-start-a-project/join-a-group/canterbury/rug-recreation-user-groups/
DoC will post minutes of the meetings for 2 weeks after each meeting. Below is my copy of the notes given to us.
Waimakariri Area Report
St James Conservation Area
Operation Plan is available from the DoC website. It will be implemented in June 2010. In summary the key points in terms of visitor use and experiences are:
Manage existing huts for their recreational and historical values Support unrestricted foot access through the St J CA Support mountain biking through the St J CA. Access to Anne and Christopher Huts on the St J w/w via existing farm tracks will be acceptable Support independent horse trekking in the St J CA. Access to above huts as above Allow the retention of a herd of 30 breeding horses Allow hunting pursuant to the Canterbury Conservancy hunting permit system Allow controlled 4WD access as far as the Waiau R. via Maling Pass and Edwards V Allow continued use of the Hanmer Ski Area for skiing via a concession agreement Establish car parks at key access points along Tophouse Rd
St James Cycle Trail Stage 1 – Malings Pass to L. Guyon, is now underway. This stage involved the construction of ~5km of new track and 3 steel beam footbridges. It will be completed (and rideMahaanui Area Achievements Dec 2009 - Feb2010
The area took on a temporary staff member to cover staff on annual leave and the increase in visitor activity. All capital programs are about a month behind schedule:
Te Waihora directional and interpretation signs
Mahaanui Area directional and interpretation signs
Mahaanui Track and Walkway stiles
Pohatu Marine Reserve Sign Markers
Packhorse Hut has had exterior painted, rock walls rebuilt and a new panel will be installed informing the public on why and how the hut was constructed.
Amenity areas are on a weekly and fortnightly maintenance rotation.
Godley Head carpark is now on a weekly service schedule. The upgrade is proving a very good investment, being well used.
Tracks
Mt Herbert Walkway signs have been produced and new signs are to be installed from Diamond Harbour to Bay View Rd.
A contractor has cleared gorse near the summit of the Mt Herbert w/w.
The section of the track from the Packhorse to the Mt Herbert Shelter is being cut by a contractor.
The shelter will be re-stained and re-painted.
Port Levy to Hill Top lower markers and secure polyethylene sleeves.
Rail Trail - staff have been busy with spraying and other minor repairs.
Port Robinson w/w has been maintained by a contractor but access to the Hurunui Mouth is still being denied.
Harts Crk track is to be maintained and a new sign is to be installed.
Okuti track has been cut and a new sign has been made.
The area has installed 5 new track counters. These counters are very accurate and can date count users on a daily basis. able) by mid-April.
Tenders have now been called for the construction of 2 new swing bridges across the Waiau R. (Stage II). Construction should begin in April and the bridges completed by the end of June.
Work on stages III & IV will occur at the same time and will include the upgrade of the 4WD track over Malings Pass and the establishment of car parks at key access points along the Tophouse Rd. Again this work will be completed by the end of June.
Loch Katrine The Loch Katrine Association is completing 2 new huts (similar in design to new DoC huts). They will be available for use by the public via a booking system. The association will have a concession to build up to 10 huts. DoC is working with the Loch Katrine Trust to sort out the issue of illegal huts/baches. 3 new illegal dwellings have been built there in the last 12 months and DoC will have them removed a sap. DoC is working with the Hurunui District council and neighbouring land owners to review 4WD access into the north branch of the Hurunui. A discussion document is being prepared and should be available by the end of March. It may mean that DoC no longer manages vehicle access into this valley.
Hanmer Springs Doc is assisting HDC/Ngai Tahu/Matariki Forests Ltd/Hanmer Springs Business Assoc./local clubs etc. in a review of the entire track network in Hamner Springs. This review will ensure that there is a sustainable network of good quality tracks in Hanmer regardless of ownership, management or land tenure. The review is being funded by HDC.
Capital Projects Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill Toilets – new ones constructed at the car park
Cheeseman/Broken R. road bridges – construction started at replacing of 4 bridges. Expected to be finished by the end of May.
Hanmer Picnic Area Toilets - will be replaced. Construction will begin in May.
Mahaanui Area Achievements Dec 2009 - Feb2010
The area took on a temporary staff member to cover staff on annual leave and the increase in visitor activity. All capital programs are about a month behind schedule:
Te Waihora directional and interpretation signs
Mahaanui Area directional and interpretation signs
Mahaanui Track and Walkway stiles
Pohatu Marine Reserve Sign Markers
Packhorse Hut has had exterior painted, rock walls rebuilt and a new panel will be installed informing the public on why and how the hut was constructed.
Amenity areas are on a weekly and fortnightly maintenance rotation.
Godley Head car park is now on a weekly service schedule. The upgrade is proving a very good investment, being well used.
Tracks
Mt Herbert Walkway signs have been produced and new signs are to be installed from Diamond Harbour to Bay View Rd.
A contractor has cleared gorse near the summit of the Mt Herbert w/w.
The section of the track from the Packhorse to the Mt Herbert Shelter is being cut by a contractor.
The shelter will be re-stained and re-painted.
Port Levy to Hill Top lower markers and secure polyethylene sleeves.
Rail Trail - staff have been busy with spraying and other minor repairs.
Port Robinson w/w has been maintained by a contractor but access to the Hurunui Mouth is still being denied.
Harts Crk track is to be maintained and a new sign is to be installed.
Okuti track has been cut and a new sign has been made.
The area has installed 5 new track counters. These counters are very accurate and can date count users on a daily basis.
Historic
New caretaker employed at Godley Head. New World plastic bag program money used to rebuild security fence. Will be completed early 2011.
Mahaanui Area has put in bid to fund the upgrade of WW2 instillations including installing additional toilets and upgrading facilities so that individuals and orgs. can occupy some of the buildings.
-- Uploaded by Honora Renwick on 26 March, 2010