The gate blocking vehicle access to Pilots beach on Otago
Peninsula. Photo by Jane Dawber.
A new penguin-viewing tourism venture at the Pilots Beach
reserve on Otago Peninsula has been granted consent, and the
trust behind it hopes to have the venture operating by next
September.
A decision, subject to appeal, was released yesterday,
granting the Pukekura Trust consent to build a viewing
platform and walkways, and to operate the venture, a project
the trust says is essential for the long-term safety of
wildlife.
While access to the reserve will be closed at night, the
trust has promised pedestrians will not be restricted during
daylight hours, and new walkways and fencing will enhance the
area.
Vehicle access to the reserve, a popular spot for Dunedin
people and tourists to view wildlife, will be restricted at
all times, however, to ensure the ongoing safety of the
birds, and will be available only for emergencies and
wheelchair access.
Otago Peninsula Trust general manager Robyn McDonald said
yesterday she was pleased with the result, and the trust
would begin raising the more than $400,000 required for the
project.
In June, the Pukekura Trust, a joint venture between the
Otago Peninsula Trust and the Korako Karetai Trust, applied
for resource consent to develop the venture.
Under the proposal, a four-level viewing platform would be
built, the reserve car park re-vegetated, and groups of up to
50 people would pay to view penguins coming ashore at dusk.
Pedestrian access during the day would be provided from a
gate near the Royal Albatross Colony visitor centre, and
walkways to the reserve.
Vehicle access to the reserve has been restricted for the
past four months, since the council allowed the Otago
Peninsula Trust to build a predator-proof fence, with a gate
across the access road.
Asked about access for the elderly, or people who may
struggle to negotiate the walkways down to the beach, Ms
McDonald said that had not been an issue since access to the
car park was closed.
The reserve is owned by the Dunedin City Council, which has
already agreed to lease the area to the trust for the
venture.
At a hearing last month, a committee of Allan Cubitt
(chairman), David Benson-Pope and Cr Colin Weatherall heard
tourism operators dropped off
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