Ranger on Patrol
Keeping an eye on some of the more random activities in the park is all part of his role as Ranger for Jarron McInnes.
From helping stranded motorists with enough fuel to get them down the hill to Tauranga, to dealing with possum hunters or shooters sighting-in their firearms, every day is an unknown quantity for Jarron.
Shooters arriving at random times of the day and night, or hunters arriving in the park to spotlight for possums are a constant issue for Jarron – and have revealed a potentially dangerous aspect of his job.
Target shooting and poaching are illegal activities in the park and Jarron will call the police if he needs back-up. The Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) has already been up to the park to respond to gunshots close to the ranger’s house and the offenders, a father and his son out for a night’s possum shooting, were sent home with a warning.
Jarron says the most reassuring aspect on that occasion was that the AOS arrived within 20 minutes from the time he phoned the police, so he knows the back-up is there if needed.
Park staff would like to remind the public that hunting and unauthorised shooting are not allowed in the park.
Park Zone set in stone
An All Terrain Rural Active Park Zone has been established by Western Bay District and Tauranga City councils and is now part of the new Western Bay of Plenty District Council District Plan.
This zone has been established to enshrine the 1642-hectare recreational park as a community facility specifically catering for a wide range of outdoor activities that can take place in a large tract of land, well away from urban and residential areas and from conflicting rural activities.
The park affords space for recreational and sport groups to set up their club facilities and activity sites without fear of being squeezed out by development or being in conflict with residential expansion.
Many existing user groups that are setting up sites in the new park have already been driven out of their previous locations due to the development and residential expansion of the Western Bay.
The Rural Active Park Zone provides a comprehensive outdoor adventure facility for a diversity of activities and for educational opportunities.
The Park is designed to be used by organised clubs, the general public and for commercial activities consistent with the park operation.
Commercial forestry will continue to operate within the Park but, as the trees are harvested over time, these areas will be supplanted by recreational activities.
Development of the park will be gradual and could take up to 30 years to fully establish. A development plan will provide an integrated management approach to the Park's use and activities will be required to have an approved management plan.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council is taking a fairly liberal development approach to enable the park to be operative for a variety of user groups and for major events to be staged.
All Terrain Park activities:
• Recreational pursuits
• Places of assembly including club buildings
• Education facilities
• Carparks, toilets, access tracks and signage
• Park works depot
• Observation towers
• Other associated buildings
For full details of the Proposed District Plan visit Council's website: www.westernbay.govt.nz