Draft Wither Hills Management Plan

I am pleased to see the strategic direction outcomes as they are presented. Farming can be a tool used to fulfill these outcomes, but it shouldn't be a priority for the park. Especially grazing in the more fequented parts of the park (Gentle Annie area, and Mountain bike park), and areas where native plantings can play a similar role. Native plantings fulfill more of the objectives generally than farming, so should be prioritised higher.

Mountain biking should be a major priority for the ongoing management of the park in regards to recreation. The sport has come a long way since the last Wither Hills management plan, and it is great that the Draft management plan factors this in.

One notable omission in regards to Mountain biking in the park is Mt Vernon. With the increase in popularity of E biking, the Mt Vernon traverse has become much more accessible for riders with lesser skills than previously.

There are some improvements that could be made to make the Mount Vernon Traverse one of the premier Mountain bike rides in the country.

The routes down from the Mt Vernon lookout are so steep (In particular the route down to the Redwood Street enterance) that they are dangerous for riders that have anything less than expert level skills, especially with the added weight of an E Bike. I would strongly support the creation of a new mountain bike specific track, from the Mt Vernon lookout to the Redwood Street carpark. Not only would this create a safe (ie, less steep) way to get back into Blenheim and the rest of the existing trail network, but it would finish a loop, creating what could be one of the best cross country Mountain bike loops in the country.

Additionally, with a small amount of effort, some Mountain bike specific tracks could be added to 'Chop the tops off' some of the steeper pinches along the top of the route, by sidling around the side of the hills. This would greatly increase the quality of the ride, and the accessibility for an area of the park less utilised by the public. There are tracks that have been created by grazing livestock anyway, so by reworking some of those its an almost natural way to increase the quality of the trail for the users.

The Mt Vernon traverse, with minimal effort to rework the existing trail along the tops from the Mountain bike park to the lookout, and the admittedly higher effort creation of a new trail from the lookout to Redwood St, could create a loop that is not only safer for the increasing usage by Ebikes, but create a loop worthy of making Marlborough a true mountainbike tourist destination.

I 100% agree with this section, native planting and the restoration of the dryland forest landscape should be a priority. Out of all the outcomes identified on page 17, restoration of native habitats has the best symbiotic fit with the overarching goal of soil conservation.

I disagree with the plan to phase out drinking water in the park (c7.1.11), if anything it should be the opposite.

I support the connection to Southern Valleys for irrigation in the park.