FMC submitted on an amendment to the Kahurangi National Park Management Plan to lengthen the mountain biking season on the Heaphy track, and allow mountain biking concessionaires.

FMC is supportive of the extension, but has suggested the exclusion of the month of April, as this is already a busy time on the track, due to family tramping during the April School holidays and a peak in the guided walking season. An influx of people mountain biking and mountain biking concessionaires may result in over-crowding. It is important that overcrowding issues are anticipated and dealt with in advance of problems occuring.

FMC is also seeking assurances that there will be limits placed on the commercial use of public huts, and that the undertaking in the plan to phase out helicopter landings on the track by 2015 has been followed through on. Read the full submission here: 20160711 FMC Kahurangi NPMP Amendment Submission