Last call for trails discussion document feedback

The community has until the end of play tomorrow (Friday) to make comment on the proposed Queenstown Lakes District Council Trails Plan Change discussion document, QLDC policy planner Daniel Wells said.

The plan change has been proposed to help boost the implementation of trails throughout the district.

The document was in response to concerns raised by organisations having difficulty negotiating public access routes through rural areas, Mr Wells said.

“At the moment, if a landowner opens up a trail for public use, it becomes a 'public place' under the District Plan,” he said.

The difficulty arose because the District Plan provisions required that any future subdivision or development must be assessed in terms of its visibility from any public place.

The result was that landowners were more reluctant to gift access routes because it could later affect their ability to develop land.

Once comments had been received the plan change would be considered by the council in December. If adopted for notification, the plan change would then be open to public submission.

The Trails Plan Change discussion document was available at the Queenstown or Wanaka Council offices or on line at www.qldc.govt.nz  

Meanwhile the submission period for: the Wanaka Airport discussion document; the Makarora Lifestyle Zone Plan Change 14; and the Definition of Visitor Accommodation Plan Change 22, all close on November 23. The Community Housing Plan Change closes on December 19.