Planning begins for South Westland facilities

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 23

Planning begins for South Westland facilities

Background planning has begun towards the development of a range of new facilities, services and publications focusing on South Westland. Conservation Department staff on the West Coast have established three task groups to help with the implementation of the Cabinet’s package of recommendations for the area. The detailed projects will be developed

in close consultation with community interest groups and put into place during the next three years. The task groups will be responsible for the new visitor centre for Haast, new and improved recreational facilities throughout the district, and new publications and other materia] portraying the natural and historic features of the area.

The district conservator for South Westland, Mr Murray Reedy, has been directed to co-ordinate the efforts of the task groups. The recommendations of the Pacific Asian Travel Association Task Force for a “heritage parkway” on the West Coast, could combine with the South Westland developments to form a very

cohesive package for nature tourism in the region. Mr Reedy said the $1.5 million assigned by the Government for South Westland nature tourism, must be wisely allocated and this would be achieved by careful planning, and close consultation with the P.A.T.A. committee of the West Coast Tourism Council.