Hi all,

DoC have put a discussion document out on a proposal to put a track down Oriwa Ridge in the Western Tararuas and are askinf for public submissions.  The club previously opposed this in an informal consultation and I would like the committee to consider making a formal submission.

I would also encourage anyone else oppsoed to make a personal submission.

My feeling is that this one can be stopped if we get enough submissions against it.

There are good reasons to oppose it:

1) It would carve through the middle of the only decently wild area this side of the central plateau

2) the costs of maintaining this are going to come from other Tararua facilities.  So it could literally be a case of get this but lose a good hut (Carkeek??) to pay for its ongoing maintenance.

3) There are enough tramping tracks of the quality they propose for this, but there is a real shortage of long untracked ridges to practice your nav skills on.

Find a submission form and make a submission here http://www.doc.govt.nz/getting-involved/consultations/current/proposal-to-extend-te-araroa-trail/

 You've only got a couple of weeks so get in fast!