A Blenheim man has labelled a Department of Conservation (DOC) move to block vehicle access to part of the Wairau Bar to protect vulnerable native flora and fauna as "bullsh..".
Jim Watson returned from a recent holiday to find access to his favourite fishing spot blocked by a padlocked gate and row of boulders.
"It's bull .... because they are blocking public access. I've seen elderly people down there fishing. I know there's a lot of people upset. It's buggered it up for everybody."
The Marlborough Taxis owner has been fishing and taking his dogs swimming in the area – accessed via a dirt road which begins about two kilometres before the end of Wairau Bar Rd – for about 25 years.
DOC South Marlborough area manager Dave Hayes has defended the blockade, saying damage to some "pretty significant" native flora and fauna meant vehicle access needed to be stopped. The public was welcome to enter the area on foot, Mr Hayes said.
"There's some species there which are found nowhere else in the world, like the kiwaia moth.
"They are the sort of things we're charged with protecting, as well as public enjoyment ... it's a balance. There are other parts of the beach where there's still good fishing and they have vehicle access."
DOC was working with the Wairau Bar Heritage Group to upgrade vehicle access at the southern end of Rarangi, as well as improving existing picnic spots in the area, he said.
He would investigate concerns Mr Watson had about the boulders continuing down onto the beach.
Mr Watson said he had seen only minimal damage in all the years he had been using the area.
"Everyone stays on the track. Why should one bad apple bugger it for everyone?" he said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-expr ... rks-angler
DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
70 series prado (KZJ78) and 90 Series Prado (KZJ95)
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
It is a shame that DOC decided to block this track without consulting the public to any significant degrees. Their attempts to justify the closure so far have been weak and it seems to be along the line that they closed it more due to ideological reasons (hating 4wds ect) then environmental concerns.
The track has two main uses, the most common one is by people who go down there to exercise and run their dogs, the second is by anglers who use it to access several rather unique surf spots and to access the south bank of the Diversion.
The road is well formed and its base for the most part if compacted sand. I have been using the road for quite a few years and the number of users who go off the formed tracks is minimal at worst. It simply does not occur, the track is simply not exciting enough for hoons and other vandals.
DOC is also considering closing another sand track which runs from Blue Gum corner to the north bank of the diversion. There are currently three sand tracks running in parallel through that section. I am uncertain wither DOC intends to close all three tracks. Although, these tracks are nothing special, they are not valuable for angler access, their main purpose is a bit of fun and as a short cut between Rarangi and the Diversion carpark.
Unfortunately, it seems that DOC has made up their mind and I do not know the best way to fight against such a closure.
Here is a second article on the topic
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4329040/Wairau-Bar-track-closed-for-good-reasons.
I would note, that the Wetlands, Bar, Polynesian settlement have nothing to do with the track which DOC decided to close. Veichle access is still possible through the wetlands and to the Bar. The polynesian settlemnt (minimal surface evidence left) is on the South bank of the Wairau and never had public vehicle access.
The track has two main uses, the most common one is by people who go down there to exercise and run their dogs, the second is by anglers who use it to access several rather unique surf spots and to access the south bank of the Diversion.
The road is well formed and its base for the most part if compacted sand. I have been using the road for quite a few years and the number of users who go off the formed tracks is minimal at worst. It simply does not occur, the track is simply not exciting enough for hoons and other vandals.
DOC is also considering closing another sand track which runs from Blue Gum corner to the north bank of the diversion. There are currently three sand tracks running in parallel through that section. I am uncertain wither DOC intends to close all three tracks. Although, these tracks are nothing special, they are not valuable for angler access, their main purpose is a bit of fun and as a short cut between Rarangi and the Diversion carpark.
Unfortunately, it seems that DOC has made up their mind and I do not know the best way to fight against such a closure.
Here is a second article on the topic
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/4329040/Wairau-Bar-track-closed-for-good-reasons.
I would note, that the Wetlands, Bar, Polynesian settlement have nothing to do with the track which DOC decided to close. Veichle access is still possible through the wetlands and to the Bar. The polynesian settlemnt (minimal surface evidence left) is on the South bank of the Wairau and never had public vehicle access.
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
Any idea if they are paper roads?
70 series prado (KZJ78) and 90 Series Prado (KZJ95)
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Moriarty
- Hard Yaka
- Posts: 1205
- Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: The newly formed Nation of OKATO
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
Jerry wrote:Any idea if they are paper roads?
Slow learner, Jerry
please use the term, "Unformed legal roads"
paper road has connotations that imply that its not really a road and therefore not legal. Give the name change some thought, please.
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PeterVahry
- Hard Yaka
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- Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:00 pm
- Location: Auckland
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
www.nzfwda.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=78
Find out how to use DOC's own maps to locate legal roads and DOC lands
Find out how to use DOC's own maps to locate legal roads and DOC lands
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
I do not believe its a public road, just a sand track through the dunes which was being used before even the idea of DOC was invented.
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
Funnily enough, the main people who do not stick to the tracks at the diversion are the locals who live in Rarangi.
I often see them driving off the "main" tracks because they are in 2wd vehicles and need to stay on the harder ground when they pick up driftwood.
The others are those who live on the beach front. There are that houses have tracks leaving their property and head directly to the beach. I hope DOC will also ensure that there is no vehicle access from these properties.
I often see them driving off the "main" tracks because they are in 2wd vehicles and need to stay on the harder ground when they pick up driftwood.
The others are those who live on the beach front. There are that houses have tracks leaving their property and head directly to the beach. I hope DOC will also ensure that there is no vehicle access from these properties.
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
I agree the residents are probably the biggest culprits, but I suspect DOC would do little about them. Also they rarely go on the Sand Road south of the diversion.
The residents have started a little lobby group called "Rarangi Landcare Group" which has the aim to help restore the foreshore (Probably also to get rid of the dusty trucks driving in their visita). They have worked alongisde DOC and gotten into their favour. That is all well and good, but the resident themselves are responsible for much of the damage, and its not solely due to them going down to collect driftwood in their 2wd cars. Their garden plants have gone wild and are competing with the endemic species.
But confronting the real issues are to much work, and the residents seem to have DOC right where they want them. DOC vision has been clouded by their lobbying so they can not see the real cause for the decline of the foreshore and closing access to the Public is easy.
I personally do not have a problem with them closing vehicle access to the sand road which runs from Blue Gum to the Diversion. The only purpose is a shortcut. Plus there is quite significant vehicle damage in that area (can not see the point of having three tracksl). The road south of the diversion (the one which they blocked), has no such damage and only a single track (plus 4-5 beach access tracks). I suspect only a small fraction of the population even knows it exists.
Also, one of the main reasons DOC gave for closing the southern access track is to protect the Kiwaia Moth which is in gradual population decline. The problem is, the moth is only known to exist in a 2km strech NORTH of the diversion. DOC used it for justification in blocking the track SOUTH of the diversion.
Here is a relevant quote.
59. Kiwaia sp. Cloudy Bay, undescribed (Gelechiidae). Cloudy Bay, foreshore NELSON/
MARLBOROUGH Blenheim [NZAC]. Range: SD.
mM&D score: A (31/50). P&D category: C
Like K. jeanae, restricted to storm-beach Raoulia mats (Asteraceae) and adults present only
in late summer (late Februaryearly April). All adults seen on scabweed communities
within 100 m of HWS and on land disturbed by 4WD vehicle tracks. Not found south of the
Wairau Diversion mouth.
I also note, that the adults seem to prefer the disturbed ground from vehicle tracks. Maybe the tracks have improved their habitat.
The residents have started a little lobby group called "Rarangi Landcare Group" which has the aim to help restore the foreshore (Probably also to get rid of the dusty trucks driving in their visita). They have worked alongisde DOC and gotten into their favour. That is all well and good, but the resident themselves are responsible for much of the damage, and its not solely due to them going down to collect driftwood in their 2wd cars. Their garden plants have gone wild and are competing with the endemic species.
But confronting the real issues are to much work, and the residents seem to have DOC right where they want them. DOC vision has been clouded by their lobbying so they can not see the real cause for the decline of the foreshore and closing access to the Public is easy.
I personally do not have a problem with them closing vehicle access to the sand road which runs from Blue Gum to the Diversion. The only purpose is a shortcut. Plus there is quite significant vehicle damage in that area (can not see the point of having three tracksl). The road south of the diversion (the one which they blocked), has no such damage and only a single track (plus 4-5 beach access tracks). I suspect only a small fraction of the population even knows it exists.
Also, one of the main reasons DOC gave for closing the southern access track is to protect the Kiwaia Moth which is in gradual population decline. The problem is, the moth is only known to exist in a 2km strech NORTH of the diversion. DOC used it for justification in blocking the track SOUTH of the diversion.
Here is a relevant quote.
59. Kiwaia sp. Cloudy Bay, undescribed (Gelechiidae). Cloudy Bay, foreshore NELSON/
MARLBOROUGH Blenheim [NZAC]. Range: SD.
mM&D score: A (31/50). P&D category: C
Like K. jeanae, restricted to storm-beach Raoulia mats (Asteraceae) and adults present only
in late summer (late Februaryearly April). All adults seen on scabweed communities
within 100 m of HWS and on land disturbed by 4WD vehicle tracks. Not found south of the
Wairau Diversion mouth.
I also note, that the adults seem to prefer the disturbed ground from vehicle tracks. Maybe the tracks have improved their habitat.
Re: DOC blockade at Wairau Bar irks angler
Been down there a couple of times.
DOC has now blocked all access north of the diversion. So the three sand roads between Blue Gum corner and the Diversion are blocked. Uncertain wither they have also blocked the residents from driving on the beach from their sections? This road serves little point which I am aware of, and it is the area which recieves the most damage from vehicles, plus the little Kiwaia moth is found there.
Down at the wairau bar, DOC has done a bit of native plantings and installed wooden railings around the Domain. They also blocked vehicle access north of the Domain, do not beleive that access served any purpose so no great lost with it being closed.
They have also fenced off the second access track, this one was mainly used during the winter time when the other track becomes flooded. To be fair DOC has upgraded the first access track, would be interesting to see how it copes with a high water table.
DOC has also upgraded (and I think re-routed) a track which runs parallel to the beach, they piled stones over two side arms which previously required fording. Surprised they did not install culverts. The upgraded road is a bit more demanding then the old road, simply because DOC exposed a lot of uncompacted Sand.
Also noticed that DOC has placed large boulders on the beach to prevent access along the Seabed/foreshore. Just curious wither DOC is allowed to do that? I have not tried, but even a quad bike would struggle to get through the boulders now blocking the beach.
Interestingly, DOC and their bull dozer have probably destroyed more vegetation and ground then the public users had since the establishment of the coastal track.
DOC has now blocked all access north of the diversion. So the three sand roads between Blue Gum corner and the Diversion are blocked. Uncertain wither they have also blocked the residents from driving on the beach from their sections? This road serves little point which I am aware of, and it is the area which recieves the most damage from vehicles, plus the little Kiwaia moth is found there.
Down at the wairau bar, DOC has done a bit of native plantings and installed wooden railings around the Domain. They also blocked vehicle access north of the Domain, do not beleive that access served any purpose so no great lost with it being closed.
They have also fenced off the second access track, this one was mainly used during the winter time when the other track becomes flooded. To be fair DOC has upgraded the first access track, would be interesting to see how it copes with a high water table.
DOC has also upgraded (and I think re-routed) a track which runs parallel to the beach, they piled stones over two side arms which previously required fording. Surprised they did not install culverts. The upgraded road is a bit more demanding then the old road, simply because DOC exposed a lot of uncompacted Sand.
Also noticed that DOC has placed large boulders on the beach to prevent access along the Seabed/foreshore. Just curious wither DOC is allowed to do that? I have not tried, but even a quad bike would struggle to get through the boulders now blocking the beach.
Interestingly, DOC and their bull dozer have probably destroyed more vegetation and ground then the public users had since the establishment of the coastal track.