Southland
Southland
Cycle Trail appealed by F&G
In a long drawn out process Southland F&G have been successful in having this decision overturned, resulting in the protection of the Oreti Rivers angling experience - well done to all who campaigned for this, and particularly to Southland Fish & Game
Oreti River - Cycle Trail gets approval...
29/03/2015
Unfortunately for fishing enthusiast the Cycle Trails has been granted the resource consents it needs to proceed... This is despite a valiant attempt by Southland Fish & Game to protect anglers interests against development in this outstanding river environment.
Comments by Dave Haynes (NZFFA): ORETI CYCLE TRAIL OF SHAME
Oreti River - We need you!
October 2014 PS - I've popped our submission on here so you can us it as a template
As part of the Around The Mountain Cycle trail the developers wish to push up to 60,000 cyclists per year through the Oreti Valley in Southland, New Zealand. However this is one of New Zealands top trophy producing river valleys and aside from the angling, visitors rate highly the wild, natural and scenic environment of the upper valley through the 'walk only zone', the location of the proposed trail.
Wether you have visited this area or wether it is on your wish list, please write a submission mentioning how you personally feel about sending bulldozers and extracting gravel from quarries to be dug in this valley, and the resulting cycle trail and proposed bridge across the most remote and untouched area, and how this may affect your desire to visit this stunning location.
There is a perfectly viable, more cost efficient and of lesser environmentally damaging route available down through the Mararoa river valley which simply makes more sense.
The remote and natural landscape, yet with relatively easy access is one of the things that makes this river valley so appealing to trophy anglers, hunters, mountain bikers, hikers and bird watchers alike.
Submissions close Nov 3rd and can be emailed to emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz in a word document following the general format of the prescribed RMA submission form ( form 13) located in the link below. Even a couple of sentences will make a difference.
Anyone can submit on this, including international interests and it's important we do so.
Mention you are supportive of the cycle trail with the exception of the proposed route from the Mt Nicolas road bridge, down through the Oreti valley including the proposed bridge spanning the river and associated structures. There is a viable and less disruptive route available down the Mararoa with the safety of a nearby road should cyclists get into trouble.
The natural landscape of the upper Oreti valley is highly important to the amenity value of the Oreti, and aside from the world class trophy brown trout fishery, draws hikers, hunters, bird watchers and mountain bikers who appreciate the remoteness of this location, the wild and natural landscape with relative ease of access.
Submission forms can be downloaded here...
southlanddc.govt.nz/my-southland/around-the-mountains-cycle-trail/stage-two/
Get on it! Submissions close November 3rd
Waikaia river
There is potential opportunity to fence some of the lower gradient streams that flow through a station in the Waikaia river headwaters. The Waikaia is a very popular trout fishery. The station provides access for recreational deer hunting over the roar, as well as access for fisherman.
Mimihau river
Another important maintainence project is the removal of willows that are choking sections of the Mimihau river, which is a relatively small river that flows into the Mataura just above the township of Wyndham. This would reduce flooding of adjoining land and improve access to a virtually unfishable section of the river.