Safeguard call for wilderness

By ANNE BESTON

Conservationists will line up with property advisers and landscape architects this weekend to debate how to protect New Zealand's most beautiful places from increasing development.

The conference, in Auckland, has been organised by the Environmental Defence Society. Speakers include Cambridge University's Professor of Land Economy, New Zealander Malcolm Grant, Environment Court judge Laurie Newhook and Conservation Minister Chris Carter.

EDS chairman Gary Taylor said the loss of landscape was a "crisis" needing urgent Government action.

"We are going through an unprecedented development spasm, fuelled by population growth and rising property prices," he said.

"Unless we intervene quickly to stop the rot, we will lose an essential part of our natural and cultural heritage."

Mr Taylor said Auckland's Waitakere Ranges were an example of ever-increasing pressure on wilderness.

"In the past three years more than 800 new sections have been created or are proposed for development in and around the ranges. That's the fastest rate ever seen even though we have a 'green' council."

EDS policy analyst Raewyn Peart said other areas under pressure included the Wakatipu Basin between Queenstown and Arrowtown and the Coromandel Peninsula.

The Queenstown-Lakes District had experienced the highest population growth in the country - 71 per cent over the past 10 years. Lifestyle blocks were selling for up to $1.2 million and there had been conflict between development and conservation interests.

Ms Peart said fast-growing areas of Waitakere included Karekare, where occupied dwellings had risen 38 per cent in the past decade. Around popular Piha beach, average house prices had doubled between 1996 and 2002 from $200,000 to $400,000.

Waitakere Ranges Protection Society leader John Edgar will tell the conference of plans to place a protective order on the ranges that would bring development to a halt in significant areas.

The EDS was involved in a campaign last year to have a remote bay on the Coromandel Peninsula placed in Government ownership after the land was gifted to Auckland University.

The Waikawau Bay property was eventually bought for the Department of Conservation for $3.54 million.

Mr Taylor said the aim of the conference was to identify gaps in landscape protection and provide solutions.