KEY ISSUES

WEST COAST CMS (DOC)

•  First major review of a Conservation Management Strategy.
• Two meetings arranged by the Combined 4WD Clubs, firstly for Club reps then a second meeting for any interested 4Wder’s. Both meetings well attended and very positive feedback given to DOC.
• Formal Combined 4WD Clubs submission made. Several other member clubs also made formal submissions.
• (Hearings held early 2008 – Combined Clubs oral submission well received).
  Good preparation for the Canterbury CMS when it is reviewed.

WAIPARA RIVER

• Problems with damage caused by 4WD’s between Stringers Bridge and the Gorge.
• Combined worked throughout the year with the local landowners, the Hurunui council and ECAN to find a solution.
• Decision made by Combined to voluntarily suspend member’s clubs trips in this area whilst the issue was being debated.
• Several meetings attended, then landowners “sidelined” ECAN and Combined by forming a group and lobbying the Council to enact a By-Law banning vehicles from the river.
• Combined included by Hurunui Council in meeting to discuss. (Decision made in early 2008 by council to pursue signage option rather than By-Law at this stage)

WAMIAKARIRI RIVER PLAN

• Several meetings attended by all interested parties including Combined Club reps during the year.
• Culminated in the formation of a dedicated 4WD area on the North Bank of the Waimak, with other areas being tagged for Combined Club member clubs trips.

PEGASUS BAY COAST CARE GROUP

• Many meetings during the year, all attended by Combined Club rep.
• Culminated in the release in December of the Northern Pegasus Bay Draft Coastal Management Plan. Not as 4WD friendly as we would like, but importantly the document recognises that responsible 4WD Clubs are a valid form of recreation in areas such as these. Mechanisms in the draft for special permits for organised Club trips.

OTHER MEETINGS / GROUPS ATTENDED BY COMBINED

Ashley Rakahuri River Care Group – Combined is one of the few organizations that have been at this group’s meetings since the beginning. Concerned with not only the birds who nest upstream of the Rangiora river bridge, but also developing a river plan similar to the Waimak one. The Ashley Track is a large part of the strategy to keep 4WD’s out of the nesting areas.

Orari River Catchment Group – Meetings attended by Combined Club reps from the South Canterbury 4WD Club.

Wheels in the Back Country – Meeting held in Dunedin to discuss off road vehicle use in Otago. Attended by Combined Clubs Chairperson and other Combined Club reps.

COMBINED CLUB TRIPS - Two run during the year: CLROC to the Ramsey Glacier and SINDA to Mt. Benger.

OTHER WORK UNDERTAKEN IN 2007

• Ashley Track Maintenance
• Wilding Pines work at Flock Hill Station with ECAN
• Signs put up and maintained at some key 4WD tracks