Ranger Biv update

Honora and I went along to a meeting last Monday with DoC's Canterbury Conservator, Mike Cuddihy, and a group of his management staff for a discussion on Ranger Biv.

We were given a good hearing and were able to present our concerns fully. Then we heard and were able to question the department's rationale(s) for scheduling Ranger's removal.

Early on, Mike acknowledged the inaccuracy of the claims about Ranger's condition and were not justification for taking it out.

I then sought clarification of the claims Ranger needed to be removed because it was within the boundary of the north east Arthurs Pass 'no tramping facilities' zone. Discussion with Poma Palmer, who's responsible for the Arthurs Pass management plan, revealed this is not the case.

At the end of the hour and a half meeting Mike said he would put the removal of Ranger on hold until the circumstances of where it fitted with the management plan could be fully reviewed.

Obviously I'm very grateful for Mike giving us the opportunity to raise our concerns.

And of course this is not the end of it. I'm now committed to staying with it right through the review and then perhaps working with a maintenance agreement to ensure Ranger remains in good condition and a valuable shelter for trampers and hunters into the distant future.