Longslip and Dalrachney link-up to provide more high country access

2 September 2005

Otago mountain bikers and trampers currently enjoying Dalrachney Station can look forward to riding and walking in neighbouring Longslip Station, after the property passed through to the penultimate stage of the Tenure Review process, managed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ).

"The public will be able to enter Longslip from the Lindis Pass via the former Dalrachney pastoral lease," says Paul Jackson, LINZ Manager, Crown Property.

"Experienced trampers will be able to walk from Dalrachney in the south, through Longslip to the Ahuriri Valley . It's spectacular and dramatic scenery."

There will be 25 kilometres of public access easements - rights of way - across land which will be owned freehold by the current leaseholder at Longslip. In addition to access from Dalrachney, the public will also be able to enter Longslip from the Ahuriri Valley and Timaru Creek.

Under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998, Tenure Review frees up land for economic development, while delivering increased public access and public conservation land. The process is one of the Government's main tools to achieve its high country objectives which include public access.

The Longslip leaseholder's acceptance of LINZ 's final proposal will eventually add more than 5800 hectares to public conservation lands while more than 9200 hectares will become freehold says LINZ 's Manager, Crown Property, Paul Jackson.

"Tenure Review delivers results for leaseholders and the public. Once the review is implemented, leaseholder farmers who have never owned their land freehold get freehold title to part of it. This allows them to develop their economic interests in the land, and improve productivity without the restraints of a pastoral lease."

Longslip tenure review also links up conservation areas and protects grasslands, trees and wetlands. The back area of the Longslip will be retained as public Conservation land and will centre on Mount Melina , part of the Range that backs on to Timaru Creek. This land links in with existing Conservation Land that the Crown has retained as a result of the Ben Avon tenure review, says Mike Clare, from the Department of Conservation Canterbury conservancy.

" It is likely that some of the areas being protected will be new additions to the recently created Ahuriri Conservation Park ."

Public access to the conservation areas in Longslip will not be immediate. Surveying and fencing of public conservation land must be completed, some public access formed and Department of Conservation (DOC) signs put in place before any public use can begin. Given the harsh winter conditions in the area, this process can take up to 18 months.

Under Tenure Review, 22 properties have now finished the process under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998: Glenlapa; Stonehurst; Cairnhill; The Knobbies; Dome Hills I and II; Peak Hill; Dalrachney; Rhoboro Downs; Double Hill; Ben Avon; Alphaburn; Glen Nevis; Mt Pisa I and II; Quailburn; Clayton; Ben Ohau; Eastburn; Waitiri; Raglan Run and Otamatapaio.

Leaseholders of a further 19 properties have accepted final proposals for their leasehold land at Merrivale, Geordie Hills, Long Acre, Nine Mile, Shirlmar, Timburn, West Wanaka, Glen Dhu, Mataura Valley, Glenariffe, Glenfoyle, Silverbirch, ,Omahau Downs, Longslip, Dingleburn, Wyuna, Woodbank Special Lease, Simon's Hill and Mt. Alford.

For further information please contact:

Paul Jackson
Manager, Crown Property
Land Information New Zealand
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: 04 460 0158
FAX: 04 460 0590
CELL: 027 249 1258
EMAIL: pjackson@linz.govt.nz

LINZ media liaison:

Michael Mead
Senior Communications Adviser
Land Information New Zealand
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: 04 498 3516
FAX: 04 472 1864
EMAIL: mmead@linz.govt.nz

Department of Conservation media liaison:

Mike Clare
Tenure Review Manager
Department of Conservation
Canterbury Conservancy
Private Bag 4715
Christchurch
PH: 03 371 3726
FAX: 03 365 1388
CELL: 027 4415 632
EMAIL: mclare@doc.govt.nz

Federated Farmers media liaison:

Bob Douglas
Industry Manager South Island High Country Committee
Farming House
PO Box 665
Timaru
PH: (0800) 327-646
FAX: (03) 688-4096
HM TEL/FAX: (03) 686-4762.
CELL : 021 622 822
EMAIL: southcanterbury.ff@fedfarm.org.nz