Legal battle looms as landowner starts fencing reserve

A legal battle is looming in South Wairarapa, as town leaders seek advice over a resident's move to fence off a reserve which gives public access to a freedom camping ground.

Te Awaiti landowner Dan Riddiford started to have a fence built across the entrance to Te Awaiti Reserve this week.

The reserve feeds public access to the camping area at Oterei River, a grassed area between the road and the sea which the council says it owns.

Mr Riddiford, who argues that the bed of Oterei River was part of an original 1863 crown grant in favour of his great-great-grandfather and therefore part of Te Awaiti Station, telephoned the council on Wednesday, saying that ownership of the land remained in dispute.

Mr Riddiford could not be contacted yesterday.

South Wairarapa Mayor Adrienne Staples said when Mr Riddiford contacted the council about his intention to fence the reserve, he was told his actions would not be condoned.

"The council considers the area to be gazetted recreation reserve. Council was not aware of any dispute over ownership of this land.

"It is the council's understanding that this is not the area for which Mr Riddiford is claiming compensation through the High Court from the Department of Conservation."

Mr Riddiford was awarded $156,200 compensation for part of his land being made an esplanade reserve, but he wants more - $11 million to $20 million.

He has appealed against a decision of the Land Valuation Tribunal, which set the compensation the Conservation Department had to pay.

Ms Staples said the move to fence off the reserve had raised the concerns of many residents who have already been in contact with the council.

The council was talking to its lawyers about action it could take to avoid disrupting the plans of holidaymakers planning to use the camping area over Labour weekend.

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