Club Night April 2016

The April Club meeting guest speakers were from DOC, Andy Powazynski and Tom Waterhouse. Based in Oamaru, they cover the area from Geraldine to Shag Point and inland to Kurow. They provided an overview of what DOC is actively doing in this region and with only three rangers and limited funds, resources are stretched to say the least. This is mostly due to the 2013 structural change within the department when 600 jobs were cut. The Earthquakes area is now owned by DOC and is getting a revamp however with the sink holes there, there are public safety issues. DOC, along with the Waitaki branch of the Forest and Bird Society have been planting Kowhai trees in the Gards Road area to preserve the uniqueness of this area. Also DOC is involved with the Cape Wanbrow native planting. Using a GPS, Tom mapped out the tracks in Trotters Gorge, provided it to the Asset Planner, however because only the Loop track existed originally, the other tracks will not be put onto new brochures/websites. DOC Tramping tracks in North Otago are getting maintained however, the squeeze is on and DOC’s mantra is to invite local groups who use these tracks to help maintain them, to the point of signing an agreement that the group will fund and maintain a track, to DOC’s standard of workmanship. Are volunteer hours a necessity to save our tracks?

Our next meeting is on the 9th May, AGM followed by Herbert Forest History, public are welcome. www.notmc.org.nz