Compensation touted for land access

Landowners could be paid for letting the public use their land to access waterways, a new report suggests.

The outdoor walking access consultation document, released yesterday, attempts to defuse the contentious issue of land access and find a solution acceptable to land owners, while guaranteeing the right of access to New Zealand's coasts, rivers and lakes.

The report is a big step back from the Government's proposed legislation to create public walkways beside rivers and the coastlines, which was put on hold before last year's election.

The 67-page report covers all the issues involved in public access to privately owned land, including Maori land. It seeks submissions and plans 25 public meetings around the country.

One of the most contentious issues reviewed was how to establish new access to waterways and how to make landowners give the public access.

The report lists possibilities including paying landowners and giving them rates relief.

Last year, then-Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said the Government had agreed in principle to pay compensation for "demonstrable loss of value" for any private land used to open up access to the coast, rivers and lakes.

The chairman of the consultation panel, John Acland, said the document's aim was to achieve consensus.

He said the report was not about an unconstrained right for the public to wander over private farmland.

Federated Farmers spokesman Bruce McNab said the group was disappointed the report did not include an unequivocal statement that landowners' rights must be protected.