KEY POINTS:
The Government is moving to block the development of Crown-leased land around lakes such as Tekapo, Wanaka and Wakatipu.
Conservation Minister Chris Carter and Land Information Minister David Parker announced today that those leasing land around high country lakes will no longer be able seek tenure review.
The decision means those leasing the land will no longer have the opportunity to gain private ownership of it, thus preventing subdivision and intensification of land use.
There were around 40 properties affected by the decision covering approximately 200,000 hectares.
Those leasing the properties will have the option of continuing with their current use of the land or negotiating with the Government to return it to full Crown ownership.
Mr Carter said development of land around Lake Wanaka had been a "wake up call" for the Government.
The ministers said in a statement that tenure review had provided "real gains" for conservation, recreation and access.
"However, the Government is concerned about the cumulative impact tenure review could have on lakeside areas as the process gradually advances across the high country," the ministers said.
Mr Parker emphasised that tenure review had always been a voluntary process for both parties and the Crown was exercising its discretion not to participate.
Other pastoral leases can still undergo tenure review as before, but all proposed settlements will be seen by ministers in future and funding approval from Mr Parker would also be required.
The decisions were consistent with the Government's decisions to more closely monitor the disposal of "sensitive" Crown land.
This followed moves by Landcorp to sell coastal land, which were blocked by ministers.
Land excluded from tenure review will either continue to be managed as a pastoral lease or if available for sale to the Government it could be vested as public conservation land.
Officials would be reviewing land management practices on pastoral lease land, and consents for non-pastoral activities, to ensure natural values were not undermined
The Crown owns nearly 2 million hectares of South Island high country land which is leased for pastoral farming.
Under the tenure review process the Government negotiates with the lessee to transfer land with significant public value to the conservation department and then freeholds some land capable of productive use.
Of the 304 pastoral leases eligible for tenure review, 58 leases (about 15 per cent of the eligible land) have completed or have nearly completed review, 130 other leases are in the process, 114 leases are not in the process and two have been bought outright by the Government.
Review has resulted in 176,000 hectares being freeholded and 127,000 hectares turned into conservation land.
The Government is planning to establish around 20 high country parks.
Six have been created so far -- Ahuriri, Korowai-Torlesse, Te Papanui, Eyre Mountains/ Taka Ra Haka, Ruataniwha and Molesworth.
All, except Molesworth, were created from the tenure review process.
- NZPA
