Submissions close this Friday

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 20, 18 October 1983, Page 1

Submissions close this Friday

Full protection of the scenic and historic Wanganui River area can only come through public support for a National Park. Wanganui River Fark ranger, John Ombler, said the public have to persuade the government that they want a National Fark. Submissions have been invited from individuals, organisations, and local authorities for the proposed park along both banks of the Wanganui River (see map). The 81,400 hectare block would cover one of the largest remaining tracts of ' lowland forest in the North Island. More than 90% of the area is native forest. All the proposed land is under government control. It is a recreational haven for canoeists, trampers, hunters and people going jet-boating and river rafting. "The public needs only to write a letter and say whetherthey are infavourof , or opposed tb the park, and put forward their reasons,", said Mr Ombler. Submissions .have been received from about 160 groups and individuals so far, he said. Theclosing date for submissions is this Friday, 21 October. "There seems to . be general acceptance that the park is a good idea," Mr Ombler said. "But numbers matter and if people feel strongly about it they should get involved". The level of support received had been low compared to the 1600 submissions for the recently proposed West Coast National Fark. . . "but there is not a lot of competing interest for the area involved here," said Mr Ombler. Existing parks reserves total 35,000 hectares of the proposed area and 42,000 hectares is unalienated crown land — managed by the Department of Lands and Survey. A further 4000 hectares is State forest. "There are not so many

issues involved with the Wanganui Fark as in the West Coast proposal," said Mr Ombler, "but until we have a National Park the area is not fully protected". Under the present system, part of the Wanganui River land is a Fark Reserve, and changes can be made by ministerial notice. "If we had a National Fark changes could only be made through an Act of Parliament. T.his would be significantly greater protection". The status of a National Fark would perhaps give the greatest advantage, Mr Ombler said. "The .level of public perception would be higher — everybody would recognise it as a large area worth visiting. We would be likely to have more tourists. Mr Ombler said the ecological reasons for a National Fark were very important. "The majority of our National Farks are in

alpine regions". "In this case most of the land is lowland, native forest and would go a long way towards re-dressing thisv imbalance". No decisipn has yet been made about the Fark headquarters site, although both Wanganui in the south and Taumarunui in the north have been lobbying for the office. A more logical compromise would perhaps be neither end of the river but a site in the middle — like Pipiriki — which has strong historical links with the river and already has a ranger station and staff. Further information on the proposed park can be obtained from the Ohakune Ranger Station. Write your letters NOW to: The Director General of Lands, C [-Commissioner of Crown Lands, P.O. Box 5014, Wellington; by this Friday 21 October.

Sandra

Lynd