Southern Zone meeting
The 31 July meeting was well
attended by all of the member clubs south of the Selwyn River.
Previous minutes were read, financial statements confirmed,
tea/coffe made and cake/scones eaten. There was a brief update from
each representative on the current happenings within each club. There
was more cake and scones.
President Quin gave a
report touching on current zone happenings and items of interest from
the previous week's executive meeting, then I gave a report on what I
had been up to, then led on to what I wanted to be up to and asked
the meeting generally their thoughts on what we are doing and want to
be doing as a Zone.
There was a lot of
healthy, constructive discussion on this from all members and this
covered a wide range of specific matters and regions. It it very
pleasing to see the level of involvement and input made by all those
present. Some of the points covered included:
The need for a
clear protocol on how submissions on things like Tenure reviews and
Conservation Policies are approached. It was generally agreed that
submissions on such matters should be made by all affected 4WD clubs
and also the Association (and, where relevant, other representative
4WD groups). But in preparing such submissions, there needs to be
clear communication between those groups - and it does not matter who
initiates that communication. In regard to the Tenure Reviews, the
Association needs to be on the contact list of stakeholders - Ross
will follow this up directly with LINZ.
The need to represent
the interests of all 4WDers, whether specifically Association members
or not. If something is in the interests of 4WDing, the Zone should
follow it up/take action/provide support irrespective of any internal
squabbles/disagreements/political machinations in 4WDing. Much
healthier that way. But with that, to also remember who the member
clubs are and that they are contributing members.
We also
touched on some recent incidents where some 4WDers were found to be
somewhere they should not have been. These particular issues itself
had already been resolved, but it did highlight some more general
related matters that may require actions at some point in the future.
The Mid Canterbury
Club have been approached to assist with creating a public 4WD
recreation area in the Ashburton River - a similar area for trail
bikes has just been established. The Meeting agreed to assist with
funding the creation of this area, believing it to be an ideal
purpose for the allocation of Zone funds. There was also strong
interest in trying out such an area when it is opened.
Mid Canterbury Club
also highlighted their submissions on a conservation management
document/policy for the Ashburton Lakes area - and how these
submissions were pretty much ignored by DoC.
We had a live
demonstration of the functions of the new NZ4WDA database.
The
meeting calendar was confirmed as follows: General Zone
Meetings:
Last weekend of
July, October and January each year. The location of the next meeting
is to be advised - we are well aware of the geographic spread of the
Southern Zone and want to hold meetings where all zone members can
attend, specifically the Nelson/Marlborough Clubs who are the
furtherest away.
The January 2011 meeting will be held/hosted by
the OLROC - Bob Holmes will confirm the location/time closer to the
meeting.
Annual General Zone
Meeting:
Last weekend of
April each year. The 2010 meeting was hosted by CO4WDC and the 2011
meeting will be hosted by Mid Canterbury 4WD Club.
That about sums
it up. It felt a very positive meeting to me and I think that
everyone who attended would agree.
Ross Mcdonald
Southern public relations
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