Deerstalkers seek approval for reserve hut
THE North Otago Deerstalkers group has everything it needs to build a hut in the Waianakarua Scenic Reserve, bar a signoff from the Department of Conservation (Doc).
The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association North Otago branch recently submitted its building application, to Doc, after two years in the making.
The branch’s hut project coordinator, Barry Wilson, said it did extensive formal planning, such as environmental impact and geotechnical assessments, gained resource and building consent, and undertook consultation with local iwi and various community groups.
All this effort was made in the hope of ‘‘opening up the area’’ for hunters and members of the public, by granting better access to the back part of the reserve.
He had been a part of the 200person group for over 55 years, hunting in the area before it was established as a reserve.
It had been difficult for the club to hunt the area’s red deer, feral sheep and pigs without a camping site.
Doc started its protection of the conservation area and scenic reserve with 316 acres (128ha) in 1908, which had since grown to over 4000ha.
Mr Wilson hoped the ‘‘Kahikatea Hut’’ would encourage more hikers and the general public to explore the ‘‘underutilised area’’.
Doc Coastal Otago acting operations manager Craig Wilson said the hut’s public access would be good, but there was no maintained track to the proposed site and no plans to build one, so it might be accessible only to experienced hikers.
If approved, the club would enter a community agreement with Doc, in which it would build and maintain the cabin.
It would also gain access to funding from its backers, such as the Back Country Trust.
The club previously started a similar hut in 2014, but the project was discontinued due to a lack of funds.
Club president David Hay said it was great to see some traction on the current project.
It had done major fundraising to pay for the cabin’s construction, which would include a helicopter delivery of building materials.
Once on site, volunteer builders would aim to complete the hut within a week.
Mr Wilson said Doc was working through the approval process with the club to ensure the site was suitable and the hut and toilet could be constructed and maintained to the right standard.
It was also consulting Ngai Tahu, recreational groups, and the Otago Conservation Board.
‘‘Once we have worked through all of these aspects, we will be able to make a decision.’’
If there were any issues with the application, Doc would work with the relevant parties to address them where possible, he said