Commercial Ventures Encourage Access Restrictions
It is stated that the prevention of public access can occur due to:
- the potential to increase land property values;
- desire for the private use of resources on the landowner's property;
- diversification of income on rural land; and
- risk to the landowner (e.g. threat to security and privacy).
Many submitters provide examples of when, and how, private landowners exclude access, often in favour of commercial businesses, including tourist operations.
- submitters are concerned that access may be excluded in the high country where there are changes in land ownership;
- already there is a problem of private commercialisation of trout fishing. Exclusive access to this resource is advertised on the Internet;
- one submitter has chosen not to enter into exclusive access arrangements on the premise that these fishing waters would become unavailable to other guides and anglers;
- access restrictions are occurring even where there is public land, such as roads or only a narrow strip of privately owned land to public land;
- there is an assertion by submitters that landowners should not profit by the selective provision of access and the charging of fees, unless for road maintenance or the provision of services such as toilets; and
- local bodies are reluctant to be involved to resolve the situation or to provide accurate information.
It was also noted that public access can be provided by a private initiative in a structured, controlled and sustainable way. The operation of the Banks Peninsula track involves a private commercial walking track across private property providing access to reserves, conservation projects and coastal reserves, with high quality track and accommodation facilities and no impact on farming facilities or stock disturbance.
Contact for Enquiries
Mark Neeson
Manager, Land and Water Policy
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Phone: +64 894 0703
Fax: +64 4 894 0745
