Silver Peaks survey gets big response

Leave it like it is or improve it so more can stay - those are two of the schools of thought on recreational use of the Silver Peaks, a survey has shown.

The Department of Conservation online survey, which canvassed group size, visit length, main activity, opinions on mountain bike access and any desired improvements to facilities, received 188 responses from people of all ages, Coastal Otago recreation programme manager Bill Wheeler said.

"To get almost 200 responses in just six weeks is outstanding.

The information will be invaluable for planning our future management of the Silver Peaks."

Five hundred people visited the Silver Peaks' new Jubilee Hut last year and four search and rescues were required in four months in the area earlier this year.

About 90% of those who responded to the survey were from Dunedin and 97% of those had visited the Silver Peaks.

"It shows people who use it are invested in it and care about what happens to it," Mr Wheeler said.

While the responses were still being analysed, quite a lot of those, although not the majority, liked it as it was, but probably as many would like to see it improved, he said.

Some wanted more signage and others were keen for more opportunities to stay overnight.

Since Doc had built Jubilee Hut, significantly more people were visiting the area.

The plan had been to remove the old, run-down Yellow Hut, but Doc had not yet done so.

"There seems to be a groundswell in favour of another hut or ways of significantly improving an existing hut," Mr Wheeler said.

He would look closely at the decision to remove Yellow Hut, but it could not "continue as it is", he said.

Other issues raised included the lack of vehicle access.

He liked the idea of having one entrance point to the area which featured panels informing people on the area and what preparations they needed to do before starting the walk, he said.

During the next few weeks, Doc and a University of Otago student would analyse the responses and then some management options would be worked out.

The response to the online survey was so successful, Doc would look at using the format again.

Findings of the analysis will be published by early 2010.

rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz

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