January 6, 2015 2:00pm by David Farrar

Ombudsman slams DOC decision

The Ombudsman’s opinion on the Department of Conservation decision to allow an increase in numbers of overnight guided walkers on the Routeburn Track is a breath of fresh air, which should have much wider implications than just the specific case.

Prof Ron Paterson does not beat about the forest.

He says the decision ”drives a horse and cart through” the Mt Aspiring National Park Plan and Doc’s explanation for granting the concession based on ”exceptional circumstances” is ”nonsense on stilts”.

Prof Paterson also says he has significant reservations about the legality of the decision.

He agrees with complainant Chas Tanner, of Dunedin, that the decision makes a ”mockery” of the process of public consultation (there were hundreds of submissions) in the development of the plan and undermines public participation.

The decision is here – Ombudsman decision Routeburn Walks Ltd. Basically the concession contradicted the limits set in the Mt Aspiring Plan. The issue isn’t so much how many guided trampers should be allowed on the Routeburn – it is that DOC just ignored the Park Plan when granting the concession.