Catlins coastal park proposed

Press, 20 April 1982, Page 7

Catlins coastal park proposed

PA Dunedin A coastal park to link the present disjointed network of public reserves and forests in the Catlins area with key areas of Maori, freehold, and leasehold land is proposed in a report by the Lands and Survey Department. The department says the proposal’s prime purpose is to provide a unified management system to preserve the scenic appeal of the bushfringed estuaries, beaches, cliffs, and rocky headlands of a 40km stretch of the coast from Tahakopa Bay to Waikawa Harbour. The area of the proposed park is centred 190 km from

Dunedin and 98km from Invercargill and is adjacent to State highway 92 for a considerable distance. A mixture of land tenures is well illustrated. The proposed park region contains several scenic reserves administered by the Crown, private scenic reserves, State forest, Maori land, freehold, recreation reserves, and various Crown leases. The report concludes that negotiations will be needed with the various land-owners to seek their agreement to or comment on the proposal for a coastal park. The department will receive submissions up to June 30.