Land Access Could Cost Property Owners Millions
Tuesday 2 Nov 2004
Gerry Eckhoff - Press Releases - Rural
The Labour Government's land access proposals are likely to deny landowners the use of parts of their land, and cost
millions of dollars in lost earnings and re-sale values, ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff predicted
today.
"A media report today has highlighted the case of Marlborough viticulturist Ian Leonard, who stands to lose the use of
land valued at $158,000 and a drop in income of at least $18,000 per year, if Labour's `right to roam' policy becomes
law," Mr Eckhoff said.
"Under this legislation, Mr Leonard will be forced to allow the public access through land that includes 143 rows of
vines. This, despite the viticulturist already providing public access - within reason - when asked.
"I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Leonard: that it would be totally unacceptable for the public to be granted unfettered
access through his crops - especially a high value, edible one such as grapes.
"Yet this is exactly what Labour is proposing: the complete erosion of Mr Leonard's, and every other landowners',
property rights - or, as he describes it in the latest Rural News, `outright theft' by the Government.
"There's little doubt that Mr Leonard's case isn't an isolated one. Throughout the country, landowners are already
counting the potential cost of Labour's Mugabe-style land grab.
"I urge everyone concerned about the land access issue to join me in opposing it. If enough people stand-up against
Labour's dopey proposals, the more likely the Government will have to listen and scrap it - just like it did with the
`fart tax'," Mr Eckhoff said.
Gerry will be visiting Buller, the West Coast and Nelson this week as part of his land access bus tour.
ENDS