Fishers Denied Access to Local River Pools

A gate has been erected at Waitahanui, effectively banning road access to fishing pools up the Waitahanui River. Rumours that a gate was being considered had been circulating for some time and it was finally put in place last Friday. Enquiries made by the Taupo Times have so far been unable to establish exactly why the gate has gone in, or on whose initiative. People in the area spoken to last week said there were "a lot of different issues’ and that controversy over the Blake Road access goes "way back to the 50s". No one was prepared to accept the role of spokesman and nor did anyone want to be quoted. However there have been pressures on the area for a number of years.

The official section of Blake Road actually ends a few metres past the current seal but a roadway has been developed over the years. Long-time residents say it used to be merely a horse track. Over recent years there has been increasing pressure on the accessway from fishers, trampers, and mountain bikers. But locals have been more concerned over campervans over-nighting and using the river for ablutions with the attendant risk of giardia. Trailerloads of rubbish have also been dumped up river. And there is an even greater fear of fire. Of even greater concern these days is the proximity of forestry and the fact that there have been two fires in the area which had the potential to threaten the forest.

One resident says the real answer to many of the problems is to develop proper walking tracks within the Queen’s Chain to ensure access for anglers.
The Taupo Times 27/4/01