Public asked for views on park plan

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 43, 8 April 1986, Page 1

Public asked for views on park plan

The plan which guides the Department of Lands and Survey in its management of Tongariro National Park is being reviewed and submissions from the public are wanted. The present plan was adopted in 1977 but with many changes and pressures on the park, including one million visitors a year, there are many unresolved questions. It is hoped that as many people as possible will have their say on how the park should be managed. To help the public a set of five statements which set out the planning issues and options for the park have been published. The statements cover skifields and skiing, Whakapapa Village, natural values, access and recreation. They are available from offices of the department or from park ranger stations at 50 cents each or $2 a set. The statements point out that the new management plan will be designed to provide a range of opportunities for use of the park. Where conflicts arise priority will be given to protecting natural features and values. "The appropriateness of any new or expanded activity or development will be determined by its impact on the natural environment and/or visitors rather than its popularity or perceived economic benefit." "The park cannot cater for all recreational demands and difficult choices and decisions will have to be

made to exclude some activities." The statement on skiing and skifields points out that the park contains the only North Island skiing resource, which is a legitimate recreation activity. "However, the point must be stressed that the fact that the national park is the only suitable venue for an activity does not give that activity automatic priority. The primary objective is the protection of national park values." It is suggested that the 22 per cent growth rate in skiing in the period 1979to 1982 will continue, both from overseas and domestic sources, despite the belowaverage snow years of 1983 and 1984. The department supports the upgrading of the Bruce Road to a sealed, dual-lane carriageway, at a cost of $ 1 .7 million. However a private investor is promoting a gondola transport system from Whakapapa to Iwikau and indications are that, should this go ahead, use of the Bruce Road would have to be restricted to make this system financially viable. All three skifields are discussed, and Tukino, in particular, gets a lot of space as an expanding area with various growth options. A visitor levy for services provided by the department to concessionnaires and licencees in the park, is under consideration. •Continued page 2