The Blue Spring near Putāruru. Photo: Hamilton and Waikato Tourism
Councillor seeks tourist levy funds to protect Blue Spring site
The Conservation Minister has suggested councils look at the funding options available to them to help the upkeep of their "pristine and iconic" locations.
It follows a call from the chair of the Waikato Regional Council for councils to get a share of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
On Tuesday, Regional Council chairperson Warren Maher told Morning Report that an influx of visitors to the Blue Spring near Putāruru was causing problems.
Maher said people were putting rubbish into the composting toilet, throwing coins into the springs, and illegally parking.
He suggested there were options like charging an access fee or busing people to the site.
But he also called for reinvesting some of the levy to support councils with upkeep.
"We've got some pretty amazing sites, so it'd be nice to see some of that money come into those local councils, just to help support the work that's actually done on the ground that the people are coming to visit," Maher said
But Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told Morning Report the Blue Spring was not on the Department of Conservation (DOC) estate, and so "probably wouldn't be seen as an absolute priority" for him and the DOC team.
"Where we can help we will, but at the moment we're pretty focused on progressing the allocations that we do have, and things like toilets on Motutapu Island and fixing the carpark at Goat Island - Te Hāwere-a-Maki - that's where we have focused our efforts over the last year or two under my watch."
Potaka said the conservation aspect of the levy was split between "biodiversity and flora and fauna related," and some money for visitor infrastructure.
"We allocate that on a priority basis. There's obviously not enough money for every single project that's going and that's just on the conservation estate, let alone private or local government land."
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
He suggested councils look options they might have at their "fingertips" to generate revenue, such as car parking charges.
Tourism Minister Louise Upston said she was not surprised interest in the Blue Springs was high, as they were closed for a significant portion of last year.
She said she expected both the general public and tourism operators to abide by all appropriate rules, particularly around local roads and parking.
"We all want tourists visiting New Zealand to see our country at its best, be able to enjoy the many walks throughout New Zealand and stay safe," she said.
Upston said she had been contacted by South Waikato Mayor Gary Petley about the issue.
"In the coming weeks, I will be contacting other relevant offices such as Transport, Police and the South Waikato District Council so we can all ensure the system at this particular site is working as it should from an operational perspective."
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