Dispute puts sanctuary cash at risk

Farm area below Mt Maungatautari in southern Waikato. Photo / David White

A stoush between landowners and councils over access to land at a wildlife sanctuary south of Cambridge has led to concerns about the fate of more than $1 million in funding.

Up to five landowners had blocked access to fencing at Maungatautari Ecological Island despite it being monitored, Waikato Regional Council chief executive Bob Laing told councillors yesterday.

"I think it's going to take a little bit more time yet to legally secure a fence."

Mr Laing was answering questions from councillor Jane Hennebry about whether the council was "pouring money down the right hole" by supporting the sanctuary.

The discussion came during his submission on the council's draft long term plan, in which he recommended the council pay $300,000 towards the project in 2012-13, $275,000 the next financial year, $250,000 the year after and a provisional $200,000 in 2015.

Mrs Hennebry asked what assurances the council could give that the money was being well spent and what conditions had been placed on it.

Mr Laing said if key performance indicators, including that 80 per cent of the 21 landowners signed access agreements, could not be achieved, the council should not proceed.

But he believed the council should continue for now to fund the project despite the problems with some landowners.

He said the council would have to decide whether to include the funding in its long term plan, which must be adopted by June 29, before it was clear if progress was being made.