This topic now seems to have got on track and the real issue is being dealt to.
I’ve followed the CMS since the beginning when Peter Vahry first bought the subject up on this Forum. It’s a tad sad that many who have been critical of those that have done something, did nothing about it at the time.
DOC held meetings along the entire West Coast, sometimes with only 4 people attending. I and another 4x4er attended the meeting in Hokitika. I discovered that DOC were meeting interested groups in Christchurch the following week.
I arranged a meeting to be held with representatives of Four Wheel Drive Clubs, not just those who are represented by Canterbury Combined. ( I should point out here that I am a member of 2 clubs who both belong to Combined) Mid Canterbury (NZFWDA) North Otago (Independent) and Kaikoura Clubs were invited to have Reps at this meeting.
The meeting was informative and dialogue between DOC and those interested established.
From this meeting I organized DOC to speak at a further meeting at the Cashmere Club. Paul Dolheguy through this Forum advised of the meeting and invited all who wanted to attend to attend. I had contact with Nick Lawson Secretary of NZFWDA and he attended as well. The NZDA were also invited as many of the same issues with regards vehicles affect them.
I felt the meeting was under attended with only about 35 people there. I was expecting to have a couple of hundred there.
Al McDougall of ORE and this Forum was there and every one had the opportunity to ask questions.
Paul D urged everyone to put in a submission. Submissions he makes might not cover all points and some people may have points that others didn’t. This way there was a greater chance of getting submissions on all of interest. I must say that having written and sent my Submission that there are (since reading
http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/forum/s ... st_cms.rtf ) a number of things that I haven’t put in my submission which makes Paul D’s recommendation valid.
I believe that at the last Canterbury Combined Meeting that all member Clubs were urged to put in a Submission.
I also organized a further meeting for Timaru where we had members of North Otago and Otago Clubs attend The 2 Timaru Clubs attended. Once again there were many lees than I had expected.
Before this meeting the Team Leader for DOC Planning told me they had concerns about the way they had worded the Draft CMS in relationship to Vehicles and that it sounded more restrictive than the intention.
I believe that many of the changes suggested in submissions will take place and that we will have a positive relationship with DOC on the West Coast.
An interesting comment was that the 4WD community has been the most represented group at any of the meetings. No other interest groups have had the level of interest as we have had.
Like Al I have spent many hours wading through information. The Conservation Act 1987, The General Plan 2005 and the current Draft of the CMS. As well I have driven to the West Coast and 3 times to Christchurch as well as attending the Wheels in the High Country Forum in Dunedin. My commitment in time and effort was done on my own. I didn’t have a mandate or speaking rights from my Club.
Why did I do it? So I could continue to go Four Wheel Driving on the West Coast. Selfish I know, but if because of my efforts everyone wins then that’s great too. I’m but a volunteer like Al and Paul D. We can only do what time permits us to.
This is no place for people who have made NO effort to date to get on their High Horse and dump crap on those that have at done something. There has been criticism of Canterbury Combined, has the NZFWDA made their submission available to their member clubs? I was asked by one of these member clubs if they could use my submission as a basis for their own.
We must have a united front where we must all work together. Members of Forest & Bird and other oppositions groups must be sitting back watching us divide. They will be more than happy because the easiest way to conquer is to Divide.
The important thing in all this is that if there is something in the CMS that you would like changed get your submission in. If you don’t have the ability to do it find someone to do it for you. If you feel strongly enough pay a professional to do it for you. You only have until the 5th October.
The hearings are public and anyone can attend. Only those who have made submissions may address the hearing. You don’t have to do this yourself, you can be represented. If there are enough Submissions from an area outside the West Coast they will hear submissions in other locations. Christchurch will almost certainly be allocated time. The Hearing can also take place at convenient times including in the evening.
If you have read to here it shows you’re interested. If there is anything you wish to discuss with me I would prefer that it was done by PM (private message)
Graham Pullman
I have been 4WDing since 1982 and have seen the irresponsible, senseless destruction of places like the Waipara River area and Macetown, caused by those who want total freedom and will not join a Club. Obviously, locked gates are not good, but how else do you keep Mr R. Sole de Hoon out?
Actually one of the members of our recovery squads was called out to rescue some landrovers (members of CLROC) up at the gorge ( on a private trip), but somewhere where they had been asked by Paul to stay out of. I raised this issue with Paul and to my knowledge it has not been addressed.
Sorry rant over 
