shania.funurl.com

TRESPASS ORDER FOR DOC

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Stuff.co.nz - Wellington, New Zealand
By Debbie Jamieson
May 23, 2006

A Central Otago neighbour of singer Shania Twain has delivered a trespass order against the Department of Conservation (DOC).

A stand-off between Twain's neighbours and DOC may prevent the opening of a much-lauded public walkway linking Wanaka and Arrowtown.

Farmer Duncan McRae delivered a trespass order against DOC, which yesterday began building a 4km-long walkway at Fern Burn on land he believes is part of the McRae family-owned Alpha Burn Station.

It is part of a 40km track linking Wanaka and Arrowtown, predominantly passing through Motatapu Station, owned by Twain. The walkway was a requirement of the Canadian singer's Overseas Investment Commission approval.

The department, on legal advice, has ignored the order and is continuing to build the path.

It believes the marginal strip is part of the Queen's Chain and thus on Crown-owned property.

DOC Otago conservator Jeff Connell said it was ridiculous seeking a trespass order against the department, which was working on its own land. "They knew at the start of today (Monday) that handing us a trespass notice would be futile."

McRae said he expected police to intervene today to enforce the trespass order as they were yesterday involved in a search and rescue operation.

His father, Don McRae, said he would fight the department to stop construction of the track in court if necessary.

That could delay the planned October opening, Connell said.

Both sides agree on one thing – that talks between the landowners and DOC have reached an impasse.

Don McRae said public use of the track would cost the family $100,000 a year as it cut through the middle of deer paddocks and would result in the family being forced to sell 300 hinds. "People and deer just don't mix," he said.

He had recently completed a 10-year-long tenure-review process and no mention had been made of that area being public land.

He believed the path had been chosen because the alternative, which was completely on Twain's property, would travel too close to her house and affect her privacy.

Connell said the route was more practical than travelling over the steeper Kennedy Spur on Twain's land. Such a track would be limited to only the fittest of trampers, he said.

"The dispute over the Fern Burn section is clouding the excellent work that has been done towards meeting the completion date."

"Really, we've been left with no option but defend the public's right to walk up the Fern Burn for either a family day walk or a three or four-day tramp that, for the first time, connects Wanaka and Arrowtown."

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