Roads should be accepted as a part of Fiordland just like the trees, rivers and lakes, writes David T. Healy, of Hokitika.
It's many many years since I first heard about the road link between the Hollyford Valley in Fiordland and Haast in South Westland.
The man who bought this to my attention was Murray Gunn, who lived in the Hollyford at Gunns camp.
I painted a sign for Murray who then placed it under his large directional sign in the middle of the camp.
The sign depicted the proposed route and questioned why hasn't it been continued. Of course, Murray tried for many years to get the road under way again.
But, of course, he always found a bureaucrat with a thousand excuses why it can't be done.
I have been lucky enough to have lived and worked for many years in Fiordland, on the roads that are part of the route.
I have also tramped from the Hollyford to Big Bay, spent many weeks at Martins Bay as well as working as a guide on day walks on the Routeburn Track, Milford Track and shorter walks in the National Park.
The roads are accepted as a part of Fiordland just like the trees, rivers and lakes.
They are insignificant when you look at the sheer size of the country they wind their way through.
I was involved in maintaining the roads, whether it be the Borland, Wilmot Pass, Milford or Hollyford road.
They are not a blot on the landscape, nor do they cause the trees to die or the wildlife to disappear.
Some twit once said how they would allow predators such as stoats, rats and possums access to those wilderness areas, but those animals have been established in the area from Hollyford to Haast for decades.
Even the humble rabbit can be found hopping through that country.
My work as a guide was with mostly overseas visitors and most would be impressed with the drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound.
In fact, many would say the road was more spectacular than Milford Sound. How much would this country lose in income if the Milford road wasn't there?
The critics of this venture should open both eyes and live and work such as I have done, before they cry down something that will not destroy the World Heritage area.
The proposed road will be no more than a thin line on a map.
If you are lucky enough to visit the Hollyford Valley, get out of your car and walk 50 or so metres into the bush. You cannot see the road nor hear vehicles.
It seems you are in a peaceful, remote part of Fiordland. Modern road construction methods won't leave scars.
Vegetation recovers amazingly in the bush and soon threatens to overgrow the roads.
