Action in Kokako wrangle

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 573, 14 February 1995, Page 3

Action in Kokako wrangle

Kokako Road, a presently unformed road in the Ruatiti Valley, should be closed and alternative foot access across to the Kaitieki Valley provided through an easement across the affected landowner's property. That is the recommendation of the Waimarino Community Board after the matter was considered again at their last meeting. The board decided to recommend the road closure to the council and let it or the planning tribunal sort out any legal challenges. Property owner Gary Rawnsley has applied to the Ruapehu District Council for the action as described. Kokako Road cuts through the middle of his property. Mr Rawnsley' s property is Ruatiti Wilderness Safari Park, which, according to his letterhead, provides hunting of red deer, fallow deer, south pacific goat, wild ram, sika deer, thar, chamois and game birds. The issue of the closure of the obscure feature which is a road on survey maps only has been up for discussion for some years, with strong oppo-

sition to the closure on the grounds that it could end free public access in the area. Ex-Kaitieki farmer Jim Davies has campaigned for the retention of the road, and applied to upgrade it to allow the passage of horses. He says it would be the only access for horses between the two valleys. "It's no different to (access to) lakes and streams. It (Kokako Road) belongs to the people of New Zealand," he told the Waimarino Community Board at their February meeting. "It's the only legal public road between Retaruke Road and Kaitieke." He claimed the alternative route, along the eastern boundary of Mr Rawnsley' s property, would never be used. "Taking the access problem off Mr Rawnsley puts it on Graeme McCulloch. He's got a twohour ride from his house to where the track is." He said while it was possible to upgrade Kokako Road to take horses, the alternative route was impossible on a horse. "You'd kill it. Jerry Cornelius is the best

horseman in the country and he says it is impossible." "I' ve been denied access (on horseback). I' ve accepted that, but I cannot accept it for fiiture generations." There was discussion by the board on the cost of creating a legal road reserve for the alternative access and the option of creating an easement with a memorandum of agreement outlining the rights of access of the public. The latter was legally binding on the owner but would be cheaper in survey and legal costs for the owner, the board heard. However it was suggested if a new legal road line was created then the opposition to the closing of the road would be lessened. The board heard that the road line was very difficult to find and that it would be very easy for people to stray off it onto Mr Rawnsley 's land. Also, slips across it made it impossible to stick to the line when walking its length. District councillor Stuart Shaw spoke to the Turn to Page 6

Ruatiti access debate continues

From Page 3 meeting, saying he had tramped both routes. He said no trampers had made favourable comments on the Kokako Road route, while several liked the proposed alternative route. "The problem has not been created by Mr Rawnsley. There must be some fairness and justice in (Mr Rawnsley) providing something better than what exists now," he said. The board discussed the outcome of objections to the proposal, and decided that was a matter for the Ruapehu District Council, if and when they were received. The board adopted the suggested resolution which was: 'The Waimarino Community Board recommend to Council that the section of Kokako Road running through Mr Rawnsley' s property be closed and that an alternative route down the eastem boundary of his property be created and agreed to on the following basis: Mr Rawnsley pay the initial required fee of $500 (GST exclusive), and that all subsequent costs incurred by Council be charged to Mr Rawnsley; The section of the proposed alternative route through Mr Rawnsley' s property be created as an esplanade reserve and easement with a memorandum of agreement; the existing road be closed pursuant to Section 342 of the Local Govemment Act.