NEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 Compiled by Kim Dodds, Projects Co-ordinator On behalf of Catlins Coast Inc For more information contact: Phone: 034158954 Mobile: 0275337876 projects@catlins.org.nz The Catlins Great Escape Coastal Walk 15 th Feb The Catlins Great Escape Bike Journey Have you ever seen any bats around here? Interpretation at Fortrose Birdlife Interpretation for Catlins Lake Adopt the Southern Scenic Route The Catlins Tear Off Map Show Time in The Catlins Whats on in The Catlins Catlins Coast Committee Acknowledgements www.catlins.org.nz (If you would like to advertise on www.catlins.org.nz website then please contact webmaster@catlins.org.nz) 1
Entries Open The Catlins Great Escape Coastal Walk The Catlins Great Escape Coastal Walk is on the 15 th February. Entries are open with the entry form attached or you can visit www.catlins.org.nz for more information. Registrations will be held at Otara Hall at 7.30am with the event beginning at 8.30am. Walkers will head to the top side of Lake Brunton, walk along Waipapa Beach passing the Gold Dredge and continue to the end of Waipapa Beach. Onto the road before heading onto Slope Point Beacon. Participants will walk along the coast to Weirs Beach where the walk will finish. A transfers by coach back to Otara Hall to finish with refreshments. At the end of the event The Department of Conservation will open the Waipapa Lighthouse for participants to view. The Catlins Great Escape Bike Journey Rainforest and Waterfall Tour The date for this event is the 12 th and 13 th April. This event has become extremely popular. This year we are planning to take participants to some areas of The Catlins that is not accessible to others. It will take participants over farmland tracks, remote back roads and along secluded beaches. Riders will get to view some amazing Catlins waterfalls, bike through The Catlins rainforest and enjoy the Cathedral Caves at sunrise. Spread the word, limited spots, entries will open on the 31 st January, visit www.catlins.org.nz for entry form. Have you ever seen any bats around here? If so we d love to hear from you! Please see attached Interpretation at Fortrose Catlins Coast Incorporated is currently working with the community to develop the interpretation panels at Fortrose. They will tell the unique stories of Fortrose linked to its history, people and environment. Funded with support from a number of grants (most recently the Lottery Grants Board and the Mataura Licensing Trust), this project is due to be completed by the end of February. Interpretation Catlins Lake Catlins Coast Incorporated is pleased to announce they have received funding from the William James Gall Charitable Trust for the development of birdlife interpretation for The Catlins lake. This project will commence in February 2014. Catlins Coast Inc is pleased to announce that Catlins Promotions will be assisting with this project. 2
Adopt the Southern Scenic Highway Adopt-the-SSR campaign a success Catlins Coast Incorporated are pleased to announce Adopt-the-SSR campaign has been well received from The Catlins community with most of the 100km section of the Southern Scenic Route now being adopted with organised clean-ups in place. Kim Dodds, Projects Co-ordinator said: Catlins Coast Inc has been working with The Catlins communities for the past 8 years on cleaning up our roadsides. There has been an improvement over the years however we needed more consistency with our clean-ups and better buy-in from our residents, WOW this initiative is actually working There are approximately 150,000 visitors travelling through The Catlins on this highway each year. In September Catlins Coast Incoprorated initiated Adopt-the-SSR program which was an opportunity for community members to help keep The Catlins Southern Scenic Route litter free. Adopt-the-SSR program provides for public involvement in controlling litter along selected sections of the Southern Scenic Route. The object of the program is to increase public awareness of the monumental task of managing litter control. With more than 100km of the Southern Scenic Route in The Catlins, litter has become a major problem. It detracts from our regions natural beauty. Adopt-the-SSR program provides a mechanism for concerned citizens to address this problem and become personally involved in improving our environment. Community groups were approached to adopt a 5km section of the Southern Scenic Route and agree to keep their stretch of the road litter free throughout the year. We were overwhelmed with the support and response from the organisations approached. We were also very pleased with the support we have received from our key partners with Southland District Council donating $800 to purchase hi-viz vests said Mrs Dodds Groups involved to date are: Telford A Division of Lincoln, The Catlins Area School, Owaka Going Forward, Pounawea Project Group, Catlins Promotions, Owaka Lions, Catlins Historical Society, PADCA, South Catlins Promotions, Catlins Coast Incorporated, Toi Tois Lions and Tokanui School. Since this project begun only a few months ago groups have been actively cleaning up their section of the SSR with a difference already visible. We are extremely lucky to have such proactive community groups in The Catlins, that s what makes this place so special, no mucking about they were straight into clean-up mode with over half of the route visibly cleaner. We would also like to recognise the residents that walk on a daily basis and pickup rubbish and to the groups and families that coordinate their own beach clean-ups said Mrs Dodds Tear Off Map The updated version of The Catlins Tear Off Map is available for collection at the Catlins Café or the Waikawa Museum. Otherwise please contact Kim Dodds, projects@catlins.org.nz 3
Show Time in The Catlins a fundraiser for Catlins Promotions Show Time in The Catlins 2014 At the Owaka Community Centre or Catlins Cafe Too far from Heaven ( Intense and compelling play - the last night for Minnie Dean and for Victor Spencer - Profoundly moving ) Supper. Price $20; Gold card $18; Senior Students $10 26 th March. Community Centre. 8pm Swing Driven Thing (Guitar, piano and violin variety by Fiona Pears, La Petite Manouche and Ian Tilley Extraordinary skill ) Nibbles & Sweet Treats. Price $25; Gold Card $23; Students $15 26 th April. Community Centre. 7.30pm Wheel of Experience (Musical NZ history Tales of Loggers, Diggers, Sealers, Killers ) Start with a Hearty Catlins Pudding. Price $25; Gold Card $23; Students $15 23 rd May. Community Centre. 7pm A Cabaret (Comedy & music You come away smarter & a little wiser ) Drinks and food available. Price $20; Gold Card $18; Senior Students $10 4 th September. Catlins Café. 7.30pm Loren and Mark ( Fresh and exciting... Guitar playing like you have never seen ) Supper. Price $20; Gold Card $18; Students $10 30 th October. Community Centre. 7.30pm A full seasons ticket provides entry to all five shows: $95 per 4
person ($85 for Gold Card holders). Family Tickets at $60 for Swing Driven Thing, 26 th April and also for Wheel of Experience, 23 rd May. Family Ticket at $55 for Loren and Mark, 30 th October. (A family is defined as two adults and 2-3 children.) Book now with: Mary Sutherland (03)4158, mary@catlinsmohuapark.co.nz or Owaka Museum and Information Centre or Balclutha Information Centre or Catlins Café + Whats on in The Catlins more information on www.catlins.org.nz 1-2 February Bluegrass Festival Niagara Café 15 February The Catlins Great Escape Coastal Walk 8 th March Papatowai Challenge 14-16 March Catlins Canter 12-13 April The Catlins Great Escape Bike Journey Catlins Coast Inc Projects - In conjunction with Venture Southland and Clutha District Council co-ordinate the review of The Catlins Tourism Strategy. Undertake and co-ordinate research needed for the review. Assist in the development of a progress report for the implementation plan - Develop a plan for interpretation and signage at Fortrose Foreshore - Develop a plan for interpretation and signage Catlins Lake - Target funders and work with Treasurer on funding applications e.g. NZ Lotteries Heritage and Environment fund - Continue to coordinate and/or act as a support organisation for Catlins community events to ensure maximum impact on the environment 5
- Monitor the effects of Freedom Camping and work with key stakeholders to manage freedom camping - Work with key stakeholders to improve directional signage associated with The Catlins - Continue to communicate with the Catlins community via electronic newsletter which provide information on various Catlin s Coast projects and local Catlins news and happenings - Support new and existing tourism related business ventures where possible and appropriate - Continue to work with Councils and other stakeholders to ensure that adequate infrastructure is available in the Catlins - Update and develop The Catlins community website www.catlins.org.nz - Assist other local community organisations as they undertake their projects e.g. Owaka Going Forward 150 Years celebration, PADCA Possumers Track - Promote and develop The Great Escape Brand with the successful Coastal Walks and Bike Journey - To match the visitor with the Catlins tourism product through appropriate marketing and promotion. Promote and market The Catlins wherever possible. Eg. More FM Radio segment, Escape to The Catlins winter promotion, attending Otago/Southland tourism road show in Auckland - Work with key stakeholders wherever possible e.g. Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust with The Coastal Walk, Department of Conservation with Fortrose-Waipapa Point Coastal Walk - Update, promote and distribute The Catlins Tear Off Map 6
Catlins Coast Inc Aims and Objectives: To protect the natural environment and cultural resources of The Catlins by working alongside and fostering co-operation between local authorities, relevant government departments and community groups. To enhance education by encouraging the provision of quality interpretation at key attractions, and promoting local and natural history educational opportunities for the community. Provide opportunities for locals, visitors, and those in business to learn about their natural, cultural and historic environment in order to respect and care for it ensuring its future; and To carry out other activities consistent with the charitable objects of the Society. Note: Pecuniary gain is not an object of the Society. Catlins Coast Inc Committee Robyn Shanks (Chaslands) Chairperson Nathan Stewart (Mokoreta) Vice Chairperson Dianne Miller (Chaslands) Secretary Aileen Clarke (Owaka) Treasurer Simon McRae (Mokoreta) Committee Member Rose Hewson (Pounawea) Committee Member Lyndon Clark (Newhaven) Committee Member Rodney Ross (Tahakopha) Committee Member Cara McGill (Newhaven) Committee Member 7
Acknowledgements Catlins Coast Inc would like to acknowledge and thank all their supporters that have rallied behind them to work on various projects. The organisation has been amazed by the amount of support from the various local communities and is very appreciative of it. In particular, special thanks to our community funders for their generous financial support with various projects, particular our priority role which is to keep our Projects Coordinator. We really could not do it without your support and your belief in what we are trying to achieve with our communities. In particular to the Lotteries Grants Board (Internal Affairs) we really appreciate your help over the years. Thank you to Venture Southland and the Clutha District Council for their continued support and assistance. Welcome to The Clutha Development Trust as a key partner,, we look forward to working with you in 2014. A big thank you to More FM Southland for their continued support. 8