SHORELINE PLAN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 16

SHORELINE PLAN

Approval By Authority J (From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 26. The proposals announced by the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) for the treatment of the shoreline at lakes Manapouri and Te Anau had been approved by the Fiordland National Park Board and the National Parks Authority, the chairman of the authority (Mr D. N. R. Webb) said today.

After a detailed inspection of the lakes last September, the authority advised the Government in the following terms: “The authority is impressed with the magnitude of the task of clearing timber from the areas likely to be affected by inundation in such a manner that the beauty of the shoreline will be maintained even when the lake is at its lowest level, but is firmly of the opinion that this is absolutely essential if faith in the national parks system is to be maintained. “The authority seeks full consultation with those responsible at all stages of planning of all phases of the scheme, so that it will know in advance to what extent the national park will be affected and will have the opporunity of making constructive comment.

“The authority is very conscious of its responsibiity as trustee for the protection of New Zealand's national parks, a responsibility which can only be discharged if it is given the opportunity and sufficient time to study the proposals affecting the trust and’ to offer its advice.”

Mr Webb said that on the change of Government, the authority had renewed its representations, and it was pleasing to record that after consultations the authority’s recommendations had been accepted. The authority had been particularly concerned about an ambiguity in the agreement which would have enabled the company to operate Manapouri in the second stage development over a range of approximately 100 feet. The comoany had seen the justification for the authority's concern and had readily agreed to limit the operating range to 271 feet, and to amend the agreement