Minutes Highlights 7th November 2011
o   Feedback on the President’s “Wish List” for Auckland trampers was received from AUTC, ATC, ASC and OAC.  The President thanked them all.

Common interests:
- replacement of huts lost in the Kaimais and Coromandels
- extension of the track along the Coromandels
- new track near the end of Anawhata Road
- repair of muddy spots on the Hillary Trail.

o   Subscription invoices will be sent out this month.
o   In response to a letter from AAMC, Kate Wilkinson (Min.Conservation) has acknowledged “a need to provide good access to huts for trampers in the north of the North Island and to get value for money from the backcountry hut pass.” Communication continues.
o   All Auckland clubs are asked to start now encouraging members to stand for nomination to the FMC executive. Travel and accommodation provided. We need to get Auckland tramping issues aired more effectively.
o   Auckland Tramping Club cars were recently stuck when a gate was locked while their members were tramping on Te Araroa in the Southern Hunuas.

Remember to email good and bad access news to: contact@walkingaccess.govt.nz

o   Beveridge Track is complete from Mackie’s Rest to Jacobsen’s Depot. The remaining section to Arataki is still under construction.
o   AUTC have rediscovered the minutes of AAMC meetings 1945-1974. They are going to Auckland War Museum Library.
o   Members report deterioration of new cycle ways in Pureora and Uretara.

 (AAMC is the Auckland Associated Mountain Groups, our club is a member)

From Bryan Dudley (Auckland Associated Mountain Clubs)....


The area north of Lake Taupo holds half of the country’s population but just six percent of the outdoor facilities in the way of huts. Part of the reason for this is the lack of political will to bring some of  DOC’s recreation money within reach of the biggest centres of population. I feel a number of new projects could be undertaken in the Auckland Waikato area which would increase recreational possibilities.

These could include

Coromandel Ranges
A walkway the full length of the Coromandel. This could include coastal lands and or swing in to go along the main spine of the Coromandel. This could link to the Kaimai N/S track.

Tracks which get to the headwaters of the main Rivers of the Coromandel such as the Waiwawa and the Rangihau. This would be a low cost way of making a lot more tramping available.

Huts. A replacement of Moss Creek and Waiwawa huts and a new hut or shelter on the main Range South of the Pinnacles.

Kaimai Ranges
A replacement for the hut burned down above Wairere falls.

The Mamaku Ranges could be looked at to develop more recreational features such as opening up the old logging tracks to provide good overnight tramps.

Waitakeres
Improvement on the camping areas within the Park, e.g. the site on Odlin’s Timber Track.  Some sites are very poor and are used by young people who need to have a good positive experience when they go to the outdoors. 

Hunuas
Improvement of camping areas.

These are just a few ideas but I would really like to see more ideas from the trampers of Auckland. Once we have our wish list we can start lobbying. I don’t expect these wishes to be granted overnight but eventually at least some of the wish list will come our way. After all if politicians and bureaucrats don’t know what we want how can they deliver it.

 If this could be printed in club magazines and ideas handed to delegates a plan of what we want could be drawn up.

For the information of new members AAMC is the Auckland Associated Mountain Clubs. Please provide feedback to secretaryaamc@gmail.com

Guest speaker John Gardiner (NZ Walking Access Commission) explained there are 56,000 km of unformed legal roads in New Zealand to provide public access, the Commission has provided a “Walking Access Mapping System” online and has printed a “Walking Access Code” to help landowners and walkers.

AAMC is continuing correspondence with DOC re. non-validity of annual hut passes at new Crosbie’s Hut.

A new watchdog organisation “Friends of the Regional Parks” (FOR) has been set up.

A track from Mackie’s Rest to Arataki is to be marked and named after long standing Waitakere Park ranger Bill Beveridge who died recently.

The Government is looking at making the process for concessions on conservation land the same as resource consents.

Public notification and consultation on the Auckland Conservation Management Strategy will start in March 2011.

Provide feedback directly to FMC regarding proposed important constitutional changes. e.g. Proposed setting of FMC subscription by executive.

AAMC needs nominations for the executive due to the recent resignations of two long standing, loyal members, Ron Bennett and David Chandler of ASC.

AAMC is a vocal advocate for recreation in and preservation of the wilderness areas near Auckland. We have represented Auckland’s views to DOC, the Government, FMC, ARC and the wider community for 65 years.