Thank you for your email regarding the Walking Access Bill.
National has supported the Bill to Select Committee, but has made no commitment beyond that stage. We will certainly have to clear up the poor way the Bill has been drafted.
National supports making publicly owned land more accessible, which is a major concept of the Bill.
National also recognises sanctity of private property rights and therefore supports the Bill's proposal that where access over privately owned land is deemed desirable, it will only be achieved through a negotiated process with the landowner.
We are committed to working with all interested parties at the Select Committee stage to ensure that this Bill best reflects the wishes of the public, yet respects private property rights.
Hon David Carter represents National on the Select Committee and he says "As a 4 wheel drive enthusiast, can I offer some advice. I am both a farmer and a politician and my suggestion is that you liaise with the private property landowners so that you can continue to enjoy your 4 wheel drive access. I have regularly provided access to 4 wheel drives, I just want to be asked so I can explain the hazards etc particular to my farm property."
Keep in touch
Kind regards
Nicky Wagner
List MP Resident in Christchurch Central
National Party Spokesman on Youth Affairs
Associate Spokesman on Arts, Culture & Heritage and the Environment.
Walking Access
Walking Access
Got this last night
Re: Walking Access
got this from the news wire we have at work:
The Walking Access Bill as it stands will disappoint the outdoor recreation community and make the proposed Walking Access Agency's job much harder, says UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne.
"The Walking Access Bill currently before select committee does not go far enough to entrench the rights of the public to access public resources such as rivers, lakes, fish and game animals," said Mr Dunne.
"I am very concerned that this Bill fails to advocate for free public access to recreational resources; the establishment of 'walkways' actually downgrades the public's right to use unformed legal roads and restricts those with vehicles, dogs and guns.
"Such a restriction will prevent a huge number of people from participating in outdoor recreation activities. 'Walkways' directly discriminate against hunters, four-wheel drivers and some fishermen.
"The other major problem with this Bill is that the proposed access agency has no formal power to resolve disputes between the public and a landowner, so any opposition to access from farmers will be very difficult to resolve.
"UnitedFuture included in our original submission to the Walking Access Panel a code of responsible conduct to address standards of behaviour for those using public access-ways.
"I am glad the code has been included in the Bill, and I hope it will be strengthened and the agency empowered to use it as an effective tool in addressing issues of trespassing and fostering goodwill between landowners and the public," said Mr Dunne.
The Walking Access Bill as it stands will disappoint the outdoor recreation community and make the proposed Walking Access Agency's job much harder, says UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne.
"The Walking Access Bill currently before select committee does not go far enough to entrench the rights of the public to access public resources such as rivers, lakes, fish and game animals," said Mr Dunne.
"I am very concerned that this Bill fails to advocate for free public access to recreational resources; the establishment of 'walkways' actually downgrades the public's right to use unformed legal roads and restricts those with vehicles, dogs and guns.
"Such a restriction will prevent a huge number of people from participating in outdoor recreation activities. 'Walkways' directly discriminate against hunters, four-wheel drivers and some fishermen.
"The other major problem with this Bill is that the proposed access agency has no formal power to resolve disputes between the public and a landowner, so any opposition to access from farmers will be very difficult to resolve.
"UnitedFuture included in our original submission to the Walking Access Panel a code of responsible conduct to address standards of behaviour for those using public access-ways.
"I am glad the code has been included in the Bill, and I hope it will be strengthened and the agency empowered to use it as an effective tool in addressing issues of trespassing and fostering goodwill between landowners and the public," said Mr Dunne.
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PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Re: Walking Access
It is still important for people to keep the pressure on their MPs about the Walking Access Bill. The Select Committee will be reporting back to Parliament supposedly within a month and there needs to be strong debate about it and strong seeds of doubt about it's value. If it can even be delayed until after the election then the ploy of using the rural vote to shove it through, will be greatly reduced.
Write to and talk to your MP's both Electorate and List.
Check www.nzfwda.org.nz for background on this Bill.
Write to and talk to your MP's both Electorate and List.
Check www.nzfwda.org.nz for background on this Bill.
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nuts
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 645
- Joined: Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: somewhere arround westcoast offroading usually
Re: Walking Access
the last email i sent to a politition about the walking access is the fact that they missed my point totaly ........ 
then told them that why should i be descriminated against because i cant walk to the top of a hill that i could easily drive if they didnt stop my access
when all they could do is go on about letting me walk it wen at the moment i could drive
ive had 2 heart attacks and spent more time in hospital than i wish to ... in fact ive just got out again
and still no reply from them
then told them that why should i be descriminated against because i cant walk to the top of a hill that i could easily drive if they didnt stop my access
when all they could do is go on about letting me walk it wen at the moment i could drive
ive had 2 heart attacks and spent more time in hospital than i wish to ... in fact ive just got out again
and still no reply from them
people think i have a problem with insanity .... i dont i enjoy every minute ..... 0278900597
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PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 688
- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Select Committee report
The Parliamentary Select Committee have reported back on the Walking Access Bill. The full report can be found as a pdf on www.nzfwda.org.nz
Re: Walking Access
From Peter Dunne
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is satisfied with the overall outcome of the Local Government and Environment select committee's consideration of the Walking Access Bill.
"The Walking Access Bill that originally went before the committee did not go far enough to entrench the rights of the public to access public resources such as rivers, lakes, fish and game animals," said Mr Dunne.
"I was very concerned that the Bill as introduced did not advocate for free public access to recreational resources. The establishment of 'walkways'
directly discriminated against hunters, four-wheel drivers and some fishermen from their right to use unformed legal roads to access public resources such as rivers, lakes and game animals.
"I am pleased to see that this issue has been addressed by the committee and the relevant clauses amended or deleted.
"Such a restriction had the ability to prevent a huge number of people from participating in outdoor recreation activities.
"The other major problem with the Bill, not adequately addressed by the committee, is that the proposed access agency has no formal power to resolve disputes between the public and landowners.
"UnitedFuture believes the proposed access agency needs to have the formal power to actually resolve access disputes as well as being an advocate for the establishment of public access-ways."
"Without such power the access agency is merely a facilitator in the dispute between those wishing to gain public access and landowners trying to prevent that from happening," said Mr Dunne.
So what does that mean for us all?
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is satisfied with the overall outcome of the Local Government and Environment select committee's consideration of the Walking Access Bill.
"The Walking Access Bill that originally went before the committee did not go far enough to entrench the rights of the public to access public resources such as rivers, lakes, fish and game animals," said Mr Dunne.
"I was very concerned that the Bill as introduced did not advocate for free public access to recreational resources. The establishment of 'walkways'
directly discriminated against hunters, four-wheel drivers and some fishermen from their right to use unformed legal roads to access public resources such as rivers, lakes and game animals.
"I am pleased to see that this issue has been addressed by the committee and the relevant clauses amended or deleted.
"Such a restriction had the ability to prevent a huge number of people from participating in outdoor recreation activities.
"The other major problem with the Bill, not adequately addressed by the committee, is that the proposed access agency has no formal power to resolve disputes between the public and landowners.
"UnitedFuture believes the proposed access agency needs to have the formal power to actually resolve access disputes as well as being an advocate for the establishment of public access-ways."
"Without such power the access agency is merely a facilitator in the dispute between those wishing to gain public access and landowners trying to prevent that from happening," said Mr Dunne.
So what does that mean for us all?