Navigation problem on river

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 4, 23 June 1987, Page 4

Navigation problem on river

The Ohakune Borough Council has decided to support a campaign to keep the Wanganui River open for navigation after receiving a letter seeking support from Winston and Heather Oliver, the operators of the " Wakapai" river boat. The letter stated that since the transfer of responsibility for the river to the Department of Conservation there has been a change in policy regarding the maintenance of river channels. Mr Oliver claims the department is taking the side of some canoeists who don't want the river channels touched. He says there has been a policy of clearing logs and maintaining a navigablc channel for over 100 years, the policy continucd under the Commissioncr of Crown Lands and Catchment Board until DoC's involvement. "The Department of Conservation to datc has totally refuscd my rcqucsts to clear thrce dangcrous log snags that are obstructing the safe navigation of rapids" says Mr Oliver in the letter. Hc adds that he has askcd the -department for pcrmission to do the work at his own expense. He says he can-

not and will not operate his vessel with the log hazards present. Mr Oliver says he caters for older people who can't or do not want to travel by canoe. "The potential to expand my venture with high standard lodges and a house boat for nightly stops instead of the tents we use at present is enormous and the benefits to the region immense" states the letter.