Landowners face court for 'privatising' Queen's Chain

Landowners in the Bay of Islands are increasingly altering the Queen's Chain along rivers and coastlines, often giving the impression the area is privately owned, says the Department of Conservation.

Legal action is under way in one case in Northland and at least two others are being investigated, with DoC warning that in some cases people could be prosecuted.

The problem of people altering the 20m marginal strips was becoming more prevalent as the rate of coastal subdivision increased, DoC said in a statement yesterday.

"Marginal strips, providing access and scenic buffer along Northland coasts and streams, have been cleared and replaced with green grass and lawn chairs.

"Often these modifications give the false impression that the area is privately owned and can be intimidating to those who want to use the beaches or waterways."

DoC area manager John Beachman said some people were modifying public land to suit themselves without giving consideration to the law or the impacts the changes might have on public use or access.

"What's happening, in effect, is the privatisation of public land."

Any alteration to public land must have the consent of the landowner, which in the case of many marginal strips was DoC or a local authority, the department said.

It wanted landowners and their agents to be aware of their boundaries before making any alterations or removing any vegetation.

In certain cases, prosecution under the Conservation Act could result.

DoC Northland compliance and law enforcement co-ordinator Ross Atkinson said a legal process had been started with one case involving a marginal strip in the conservancy.

He would not comment further on the case, but did say at least two other instances were also being investigated.

- NZPA