Submission on Rakitata River revival strategy

FMC has written a submission on the Rakitata (Rangitata) River revival strategy developed by Department of Conservation.

The submission makes recommendations on relevant high-level issues applying to the whole river, as well as a small number of specific matters.

FMC recommends that the natural values of the river system should be the clear objective of revival and suggests the 2022 Wildlands report is used as a framework for the description of these natural values.

The submission notes the revival strategy should fully comply with relevant statutory obligations. In terms of concessions, FMC recommends all concession conditions need to be enforced by DOC and concessions with activities, incompatible with conservation and recreation, should not be renewed, unless the activities are changed. Stewardship land in the river catchments should not be disposed of, the land in poor condition should be restored and pest control in the upper catchment should be maximized.

The submission also commends the work of Braided River Action Group and recommends its stronger presence in the strategy. Options for enduring public access should be explored, as well as a Rakitata trail developed, connecting visitors with the river’s human history through visual storytelling. The Rakitata River is a valuable teaching environment and FMC hopes the potential offered to local schools by this open classroom will be utilized.

FMC sees strategy as a chance to improve health of the nature and give river’s catchment a voice. Reinvigorating nature of the river system will inherently improve the recreation in the Rakitata.

For details, please see the full submission.

Photo: Upper Rangitata from Forest Creek Bluffs, (c) Brad Edwards