Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee (aka ARAC)
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2014 10:27 pm
Sad to see some (very justified) criticism of ARAC in some posts - most seems to come about through our lack of information dissemination.
Complaints about the website being out of date were made years ago - Well there's a new site now http://arac.org.nz please check it out
ARAC has not gone away, far from it. We monitor and/or maintain several major areas in the Wellington Region - notably Aaorangi Forest, Waiotarua (Odlins) Road, Akatarawa Forest and to a lesser extent the Wellington South Coast.
I saw comment about what a waste Johnson's Road legal battle was. I must disagree - this was all about setting precedent at law. It cost $30K and every cent was well spent - it has even forced Government into a law change to try and elude the common-law we established.
If any Club wants to take up the gauntlet to tame Johnson's Road - great - there would be many who would support such an idea. CCVC began the operation, and made several forays - but enthusiasm waned. Nonetheless, regular trips made beyond the 1.5Km mark (quite a feat) and even installed several gates by way of goodwill.
ARAC have just installed a new water supply at the Orange Hut, and the barbeque is scheduled to be rebuilt.
Waiotauru Hut is the subject of plans for renovation and/or replacement - probably the latter.
Sutherland's is in good nick
But the focus at present is on the Akatarawa Forest. A whole new management regime is in place, plus the Regional Council plan to sell off the Forestry Cutting rights - probably overseas - imagine the effects on access if the Chinese Industrialists buy it????? We are fighting to retain access no matter what.
Our aim is now to keep the website updated with all the movements - so watch that space not this
Cheers
Andi
Complaints about the website being out of date were made years ago - Well there's a new site now http://arac.org.nz please check it out
ARAC has not gone away, far from it. We monitor and/or maintain several major areas in the Wellington Region - notably Aaorangi Forest, Waiotarua (Odlins) Road, Akatarawa Forest and to a lesser extent the Wellington South Coast.
I saw comment about what a waste Johnson's Road legal battle was. I must disagree - this was all about setting precedent at law. It cost $30K and every cent was well spent - it has even forced Government into a law change to try and elude the common-law we established.
If any Club wants to take up the gauntlet to tame Johnson's Road - great - there would be many who would support such an idea. CCVC began the operation, and made several forays - but enthusiasm waned. Nonetheless, regular trips made beyond the 1.5Km mark (quite a feat) and even installed several gates by way of goodwill.
ARAC have just installed a new water supply at the Orange Hut, and the barbeque is scheduled to be rebuilt.
Waiotauru Hut is the subject of plans for renovation and/or replacement - probably the latter.
Sutherland's is in good nick
But the focus at present is on the Akatarawa Forest. A whole new management regime is in place, plus the Regional Council plan to sell off the Forestry Cutting rights - probably overseas - imagine the effects on access if the Chinese Industrialists buy it????? We are fighting to retain access no matter what.
Our aim is now to keep the website updated with all the movements - so watch that space not this
Cheers
Andi