Ski-field reservation

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 12

Ski-field reservation

Wellington reporter A recreation reserve encompassing the proposed Rastus Burn ski-field in the Remarkables Range near Queenstown has been approved by the Minister of Lands (Mr V. S. Young). An area of 700 ha has been gazetted as the Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve and a draft management plan released for public comment. Mr Young said the draft management plan was not intended to be a basis for further discussion on the question of using the Rastus Burn area as a

commercial ski-field and tourist attraction. This had already had long public debate through the Lakes County Council and the Town and Country Planning Tribunal hearings. “The management plan accepts that a commercial ski-field will proceed and I have already given approval in principle to a lease to the Mount Cook Company which will include, where appropriate finally approved management policies,” he said. The draft management plan recognised the sensitive nature of the land and the need to_protect,_as

far as possible, ecological and environmental values. The management policies were designed to encourage recreational activities such as ski-ing and tramping while minimising the impact of development on the reserve, Mr Young said. As the main land-use decision had already been made to establish a skifield. submissions on the management plan should be confined to reserve management policies. Interested parties would have two months to make submissions to the Commissioner of Crown Lands in Dunedin. _