Press releases and News Items on
the Access Issue, and Political Lobbying.
(Click here)
CORANZ Submission on the
OECD review of
environmental performance – NGO views.
23 December 2004
Media
Release for Immediate Use
The Council
of Outdoor Recreation Associations welcomes
the Government’s new Land Access Strategy. “The proposed measures are a
bold first step to gaining improved public
access to closed off water bodies, and the countryside” Council
spokesperson Dr Hugh Barr said.
“It is good to see the Government taking a flexible approach to deeming of public foot accessways along privately owned land on important water bodies and coasts” he said. “It is apparent though, that there is still much detail to be finalised”
“We feel that a broader based approach is
necessary, looking both at the 70% of water bodies where legal access
already exists, and the broader issue of access generally. Some of
these are not available because of a range of impediments. Opening them
would give some quick gains for the public, and should also be a
Government priority. Our Council is committed to working with the
Government and other interested parties to achieve improved access for
the public.”
“It is
important to set up an access commissioner, or ombudsman, with powers
to co-ordinate the myriad of government agencies with access
responsibilities. These currently seem incapable of carrying out their
public access roles. A clear example of this is the difficulty of
gaining adequate public access in the High Country Tenure Review
process. A Public Access Improvement Fund, to help improve public
access is also essential ” Dr Barr said. “It is a pity these two
developments are still some way off”.
ENDS
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