Te Anau community unite against developments in Fiordland

The Te Anau community is uniting together to battle against the major development proposals that threaten the protection of conservation land in Fiordland. Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno said she believes that this community effort will be the same scale and significance of the Save Manapouri Campaign.

Mass tourism infrastructure developments have been proposed which she feels offer little benefit to the community or the environment.

"We know from past experience that it takes a co-ordinated effort from the whole community to stand up against big operators with dollars on their mind," Mrs Cardno said.

Two major development proposals in Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Site, were publicly notified by the Department of Conservation as part of the process, a step closer to granting authorisation of the applications.

The first proposal is for a tunnel from Glenorchy through to the Hollyford Valley in Mount Aspiring and Fiordland National Park and the second proposal is for a monorail through Snowden Forest to Te Anau Downs, also part of the World Heritage Site. Both investments intend to generate revenue from the large number of visitors who travel to Milford Sound each year.

The applications drew significant public opposition, including submissions from the Department's Advisors, Southland Conservation Board and Otago Conservation Board. Many submissions opposed the proposals on the grounds of the Conservation Act, specifically that the interpretation of the Act is inconsistent with the National Park Management Plans.

Mrs Cardno said she was heartened by the level of response to the formal submission process for the concessions. "There are few, if any positive impacts of these proposals, and it's time for the community to stand side by side, and battle fire with fire," she said.

If the Department of Conservation does not give weighting to the public submissions made and turn around its decision, the next step will be for the community to seek a Judicial Review of the process, Mrs Cardno said.

"The review will take energy and commitment from locals. If we let this kind of thing happen on our back doorstep, what kind of precedent is that setting for how we look after our World Heritage Sites?"

Mrs Cardno is inviting anyone with an interest in keeping tourism in Te Anau to show their commitment by attending a public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 26 June at 7.30 pm in the Distinction Hotel, Te Anau.

"We need as many people as possible to attend and hear the facts about how these developments are likely to impact on us," she said.

Changing visitor flows on the Southern Scenic Route will potentially affect all of Southland, businesses in Te Anau and further afield, as well as the economy, recreation opportunities and conservation values.
"We cannot rest on our laurels, we must get organised and commit to the cause".