NORTH HEAD AND FORT TAKAPUNA !!!

First they came for the motor-heads....

Then they came for the hangies,

but I didn't speak out because I wasnt a hangie,

Then they came for the paragliders

Then they came for me..

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Before 4 pm Friday, TOMMOROW!!!!!

I am posting my submission, please change it up, jump on board as number of submissions counts probly as much as content, and i had the nicest fly at North Head 2 nights ago :) :)

Change a bit, i am pasting the body below, will attempt to attach as well

Send it to:

cmsnorthisland@doc.govt.nz

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Submission on: / Auckland / CMS

Submitter details:

Submission Regards Auckland CMS proposed changes to the

CMS,

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY,

Auckland Conservancy 2014–2024, Volume 1 DRAFT December 2012.

Specifically;

Policy 2.14.4 "Should not allow aircraft landings on or take-offs of non-motorised aircraft from Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, to protect its recreation and amenity values, and visitor safety."

and

Policy 2.14.8 "May allow the use of non-motorised aircraft limited to parapenting, model gliders and kites, subject to this activity avoiding any adverse effects on the safety and enjoyment of other visitors, and subject to the criteria in Policy 3.4.2 in Part Three."

I am a resident of Bayswater for most of the last 7 years. As such I enjoy the recreational use of of the North Shore beaches and DOC managed places. I oppose the new policies 2.14.4 and 2.14.8.

I have been a PG2 certified paraglider pilot for a year and a half, and I have enjoyed flying at North Head and Fort Takapuna during that time.

Paragliding is a self regulated body with high qualification standard, with the Auckland Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club responsible for membership use of the Auckland Area Flying Sites. This has ensured a long time track record of responsible use of these places. I believe that paragliding at these historic sites is the most low impact recreational use of the area. There are relatively few days that weather allows the activity. Visitors are normally interested and enjoy taking pictures of the surroundings with a paraglider present. I have not seen any negative interaction with any other visitors to North Head or Fort Takapuna. I do not think that the land use policies for these places should be changed or restricted for the use of non-motorized aircraft.

I would like to delete;

Policy 2.14.4 "Should not allow aircraft landings on or take-offs of non-motorised aircraft from Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, to protect its recreation and amenity values, and visitor safety."

and

Reword Policy 2.14.8 to read:

“Allow the use of non-motorised aircraft, subject to this activity avoiding any adverse effects on the

safety and enjoyment of other visitors”

Sincerely,

Donald Smith