Call to ban buses from Mt Eden

Moves to keep tour buses from the summit of Mt Eden have prompted warnings from operators that Auckland's $2.6 billion tourism industry will suffer.

Some operators will bypass Auckland and take tourists straight from the airport to Rotorua or the Waitomo Caves, says Bus and Coach Association executive director John Collyns.

"If they go straight to Rotorua the whole of Auckland misses out - the hotels, the shops in Queen St, the museum will be short-circuited and they may not stay overnight."

Momentum to keep buses off the summit has gained with the city council review of its Mt Eden management plan. Proposals include stopping buses at a new visitor centre near the base and offering tourists a guided walk to the summit.

Lobby groups are also seeking world heritage status for Mt Eden and the Auckland volcanic field.

Tourists account for about half the annual 1.2 million visitors to Mt Eden; many of the rest are regulars from the increasingly high-density neighbourhood.

The constant foot traffic, bikes and cattle are eroding features including the scoria crater, terracing and kumara pits. Buses are blamed for cracks in the summit road and endanger pedestrians and joggers. At times, the summit carpark cannot cope with the buses and visitors complain of noise and diesel fumes.

"There's only enough room for two or three buses and you often get 10," says city councillor Glenda Fryer.

Friends of Maungawhau spokesman Kit Howden says the tourist industry is freeloading on ratepayers, contributing nothing to upkeep of the mountain and summit road.

But Mr Collyns says the free, 360-degree view of the city is a spectacular bonus for jaded travellers on the way from the airport. Many long-haul flights arrive early before hotel rooms are available or the museum open.

"There's no way they're going to sit about for two hours when they could be in Rotorua. If they can'tvisit Mt Eden, they may bypass Auckland altogether."

Tourism Auckland executive director Graeme Osborne says closing the road to buses would have a measurable impact on tourism.

"It's a much bigger issue than just Mt Eden. Natural heritage sites throughout New Zealand are under increasing pressure because they are freely available and it brings into question their environmental sustainability.

"In the case of Mt Eden, it's a much bigger issue than just coaches."

Other proposals in the management plan review include improved walkways to control foot traffic, removing cattle, improved signs and information acknowledging the mountain's Maori heritage. Consultation begins on Monday.