[New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi] is clearly aware of the hazard posed by feral goats since it has placed large signs proclaiming, "Beware of wandering wildlife" at each end of the Cromwell Gorge.
Similarly, the [Central Otago District Council] has erected its own signage in the Cromwell Mall warning pedestrians of the uneven surface caused by raised paving.
However, the Cromwell Community Board recently voted to ban the public and remove the dog walking status of the pine forest on the outskirts of the town due to the potential liability for council staff if falling branches cause injury.
NZTA appears to perceive signage as appropriate risk mitigation and so does the CODC in respect to the Cromwell Mall, although it has also sought to remove the raised pavers.
In these situations, the risk is real: vehicles have been damaged by colliding with a goat and frequent injuries continue to be caused by falling in the mall.
Fortunately, there are no anecdotal accounts of harm caused by boughs and pine cones, even by those using the area for decades.
It is therefore illogical that ratepayers will be banned from accessing this area when the Cromwell Gorge and the Cromwell Mall remain open.
Residents want practical, cost effective, co-operative and informed solutions not heavy-handed, unenforceable
and inconsistent pronouncements.
REPLY:
An NZTA spokesperson said NZTA’s risk management of the issue of the feral goats and risk to road users on State Highway 8 in the Cromwell Gorge was not limited to signage.
It also has an aerial goat control programme in the planning for this winter (to be done in conjunction with local landowners), which will likely mean some limited short-term traffic management on SH8, to further reduce the risk to drivers.
As with all of NZTA’s work, it aims to be pragmatic in balancing any risks with the need to maintain reliable transport connections for people.
A council spokeswoman said the Cromwell Community Board and Council recognised that the forestry block was valued by the community and appreciate the concerns raised.
The decision to remove public access is based on site-specific safety considerations, not a general preference for signage over other controls. Independent forestry advice identified ongoing risks, particularly during wind events, which would require active monitoring, temporary closures and resourcing that is not currently available.
For this site, limiting access is considered the safest and most practical way to manage risk and reduce the council’s exposure.
Different locations involve different hazards and management approaches. In areas such as the Cromwell Mall, the council has both installed signage and budgeted to repair or replace uneven pavers to address the issue over time. That level of intervention and ongoing management is not currently budgeted for the Sandflat forestry area.
The council acknowledges the impact on dog walkers and will continue to consider community feedback as part of future planning.
