Every hand in the room was raised in support of buying a public access easement on Matangi Station at a meeting in Alexandra last night.

A public easement would assure access “in perpetuity” to the existing trails, along with some new ones for bikers, walkers and runners.

What lawyer John Williamson called ‘“the unfolding story” of Matangi Station is continuing with last minute discussions extending to potentially allowing horse riding in the White Sands area, and also dogs, which would need to be under control and up to date with their monthly dose against sheep measles, on the Rock Garden and Ten Heads loop track. 

These details are not yet incorporated in the easement document and discussions are ongoing.

Two hundred and ten people attended the meeting, organised by the Mountain Bikers of Alexandra (MOA).

It ran for two hours, from 7pm, with almost every chair occupied and a livestream broadcast viewed by those who could not attend.  

Topics covered were the history of Matangi Station and the Matangi MTB park, pastoral leases, the current easement proposal, possible new trails and ways to fund the easement.

The audience of Central’s community members, cyclists, young and old, walkers, runners, horse riders, business owners, retirees and families were asked to indicate if they supported the idea of buying an easement.

They were also asked if they supported the creation of a charitable trust to oversee the trails and park by MOA president Andrew Dowling. 

Chairperson for the evening Ollie Yeoman said the turnout was wonderful and evidence of the love and deep concern for access to Matangi Station.

Questions, answers and feedback sessions after the presentations covered weed control, horse riding, the potential earnings from commercial operations, the timeline and the next steps.

Pictured (from left) are speakers who are behind the proposal (a subcommittee of MOA) Andrew Dowling, Rob Wardle, Joe Sherriff, John Williamson and Ollie Yeoman. 

The speakers thanked the Sanders family for their years of granting access for recreational use, along with their cooperation, collaboration and partnership in good faith.

Folllowing the meeting, MOA is running a public survey to gauge support.

It needs to be completed by midnight tonight (Wednesday, February 14). Responses will be confidential, and pledges of support are non-binding.

Complete the survey here.

Stay tuned to the Central App for more information about the public easement proposal, the amount of funding targeted and next steps tomorrow morning.