Brook Sanctuary Position Paper
September 25th 2007
The Nelson MTB Club's (NMTBC) preference of route for the pest proof fence is in line with the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary's (BWS) presented Option 3, however we wish to make the following comments for consideration.
The maintenance track beside the pest proof fence could provide an ideal opportunity to make accessible an area of public land currently not available to a large number of mountainbikers, recreational or otherwise. Currently, the route from Third House to Jenkins Hill is ridden by only the more adventurous type of mountainbike rider, due in large part to the obstacle provided by 'the ramp' and the highly technical nature of the surface.
The NMTBC through a strong relationship with NCC Parks and Reserves continues to advocate for increased linkage of existing trail networks so that mountainbike access to public land may be improved.
The NMTBC encourages its members to perform an eyes and ears function when riding in Hancock administered forest estates. The NMTBC manages annual access permit issue for its members on behalf of Hancock Forests and the eyes and ears function provides a highly mobile and pro-active security and safety service for the estate managers. The NMTBC sees the opportunity to provide this same service for the BWS and the integrity of the pest proof fence as a given.
The NMTBC questions the real or perceived risk of damage to the pest proof fence from mountainbike use, specifically risk from mountainbike use in the downhill direction. The NMTBC view this risk as very slight, and always encourages responsible use of trails and the promotion of the Mountainbike NZ code of conduct for shared trail use. The NMTBC would encourage the BWS to quantify this risk through sourcing Karori Sanctuary data given mountainbike use around that fence's perimeter in both the uphill and downhill direction.
Brook Valley to Third House
NMTBC supports the preferred route of the fence from the visitors centre, across to the crossroads access track and up to crossroads.
NMTBC supports the preferred route of the fence approximately 50m below the existing Dunn Trail from crossroads to Third House.
NMTBC's comments:
The Dunn Trail will always provide the preferred access route to Third House for mountainbikers due to its ideal gradient.
The fence route from crossroads to Third House will provide an ideal loop in either direction.
The fence route from crossroads to the Brook Valley will tend to be ridden in the downhill direction due to its steeper gradient.
Third House to Jenkins Hill
NMTBC supports the preferred route across the Third House/Jenkins Hill ridgeline. We would advocate however for a different approach to the quad bike access track around 'the ramp'. We understand the straight line approach needed to take the fence up and over 'the ramp' and while a corridor would be established, the inherent steepness of the ramp will be a deterrent to a large number of mountainbikers who would otherwise choose this route. The NMTBC's strong preference would be for the quad bike access track to remain outside the fence, eliminating the cost and risk of two gates through the fence, and enabling rideable mountainbike access around the ramp on the southeast side of the fence.
NMTBC's comments:
Opening an accessible corridor through this ridgeline is viewed as desirable ˘losing the challenge of the existing trail will affect a small number of riders.
An accessible corridor through this ridgeline will enable three trail systems (Fringed Hill, Barnicoat/Marsden Valley and the Richmond Hills) to be linked enabling much improved and rideable loops.
Plan and construct the quad bike access track outside the fence around 'the ramp' (see above)
It is highly likely that if the quad bike access track around the ramp crosses as proposed to inside the fence, unauthorised trail building will occur outside the fence to improve rideable access around 'the ramp'. The NMTBC advocates that any trail building activities in this beech forest be official, authorised and constructed properly ˘ this philosophy would be satisfied with a quad bike access track outside the fence around 'the ramp', and under the terms of BWS resource consent.
Jenkins Hill to Brook Valley
NMTBC supports the preferred route from Jenkins Hill to Brook Valley.
NMTBC's comments:
Mountainbike access up this route will be highly undesirable.
Mountainbike access down this route will be largely undesirable due to the gradient and largely straight line direction of the fence.
NMTBC would be happy to promote this section of the fence route as not recommended for mountainbike access if the Third House/Jenkins Hill ridgeline was fully rideable.
The NMTBC has a strong membership of 350-400 financial members, and provides a powerful line of communication to not only this membership, but also to local bike shops, associated sporting groups/businesses and school cycling networks.
The NMTBC would be happy to support the aims and goals of the BWS through this network and promote a code of behaviour, preferred riding direction (one way sections?) and contact details for fence maintenance purposes.
Mountainbikers are highly mobile given rideable route options. The NMTBC encourages the BWS to utilise this resource through enabling good accessibility.
Route of Brook Sanctuary Pest Proof Fence
Nelson MTB Club Feedback on Preferred Route Option
Nelson MTB Club Feedback on Preferred Route Option
The Nelson MTB Club's (NMTBC) preference of route for the pest proof fence is in line with the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary's (BWS) presented Option 3, however we wish to make the following comments for consideration.
The maintenance track beside the pest proof fence could provide an ideal opportunity to make accessible an area of public land currently not available to a large number of mountainbikers, recreational or otherwise. Currently, the route from Third House to Jenkins Hill is ridden by only the more adventurous type of mountainbike rider, due in large part to the obstacle provided by 'the ramp' and the highly technical nature of the surface.
The NMTBC through a strong relationship with NCC Parks and Reserves continues to advocate for increased linkage of existing trail networks so that mountainbike access to public land may be improved.
The NMTBC encourages its members to perform an eyes and ears function when riding in Hancock administered forest estates. The NMTBC manages annual access permit issue for its members on behalf of Hancock Forests and the eyes and ears function provides a highly mobile and pro-active security and safety service for the estate managers. The NMTBC sees the opportunity to provide this same service for the BWS and the integrity of the pest proof fence as a given.
The NMTBC questions the real or perceived risk of damage to the pest proof fence from mountainbike use, specifically risk from mountainbike use in the downhill direction. The NMTBC view this risk as very slight, and always encourages responsible use of trails and the promotion of the Mountainbike NZ code of conduct for shared trail use. The NMTBC would encourage the BWS to quantify this risk through sourcing Karori Sanctuary data given mountainbike use around that fence's perimeter in both the uphill and downhill direction.
Brook Valley to Third House
NMTBC supports the preferred route of the fence from the visitors centre, across to the crossroads access track and up to crossroads.
NMTBC supports the preferred route of the fence approximately 50m below the existing Dunn Trail from crossroads to Third House.
NMTBC's comments:
The Dunn Trail will always provide the preferred access route to Third House for mountainbikers due to its ideal gradient.
The fence route from crossroads to Third House will provide an ideal loop in either direction.
The fence route from crossroads to the Brook Valley will tend to be ridden in the downhill direction due to its steeper gradient.
Third House to Jenkins Hill
NMTBC supports the preferred route across the Third House/Jenkins Hill ridgeline. We would advocate however for a different approach to the quad bike access track around 'the ramp'. We understand the straight line approach needed to take the fence up and over 'the ramp' and while a corridor would be established, the inherent steepness of the ramp will be a deterrent to a large number of mountainbikers who would otherwise choose this route. The NMTBC's strong preference would be for the quad bike access track to remain outside the fence, eliminating the cost and risk of two gates through the fence, and enabling rideable mountainbike access around the ramp on the southeast side of the fence.
NMTBC's comments:
Opening an accessible corridor through this ridgeline is viewed as desirable ˘losing the challenge of the existing trail will affect a small number of riders.
An accessible corridor through this ridgeline will enable three trail systems (Fringed Hill, Barnicoat/Marsden Valley and the Richmond Hills) to be linked enabling much improved and rideable loops.
Plan and construct the quad bike access track outside the fence around 'the ramp' (see above)
It is highly likely that if the quad bike access track around the ramp crosses as proposed to inside the fence, unauthorised trail building will occur outside the fence to improve rideable access around 'the ramp'. The NMTBC advocates that any trail building activities in this beech forest be official, authorised and constructed properly ˘ this philosophy would be satisfied with a quad bike access track outside the fence around 'the ramp', and under the terms of BWS resource consent.
Jenkins Hill to Brook Valley
NMTBC supports the preferred route from Jenkins Hill to Brook Valley.
NMTBC's comments:
Mountainbike access up this route will be highly undesirable.
Mountainbike access down this route will be largely undesirable due to the gradient and largely straight line direction of the fence.
NMTBC would be happy to promote this section of the fence route as not recommended for mountainbike access if the Third House/Jenkins Hill ridgeline was fully rideable.
The NMTBC has a strong membership of 350-400 financial members, and provides a powerful line of communication to not only this membership, but also to local bike shops, associated sporting groups/businesses and school cycling networks.
The NMTBC would be happy to support the aims and goals of the BWS through this network and promote a code of behaviour, preferred riding direction (one way sections?) and contact details for fence maintenance purposes.
Mountainbikers are highly mobile given rideable route options. The NMTBC encourages the BWS to utilise this resource through enabling good accessibility.