Silver Peaks use survey
Consultation closed 30 October 2009
The Silver Peaks is a rugged schist and tussock scenic reserve 15 km north of Dunedin. A new hut and a desire for outdoor opportunities closer to the city have brought more and different types of people into the area.
To find out how we can best cater for the changing user group, we conducted an online survey to find out how the public uses the area now, and whether there were any future developments people would like to see.
Survey results
Climbing away from Jubilee Hut
Participation in the survey was very pleasing, with a total of 188 responses - many thanks to all who responded. The survey results, together with subsequent consultation, have provided the Department of Conservation with clear guidance on development of recreation facilities in the Silver Peaks. The planned changes are detailed in a media release.
A summary of the survey results is as follows:
Question 1: Where are you from?
88% of respondents were from Dunedin, 8% were from other New Zealand destinations, and 4% were from overseas.
Question 2: What age group are you?
There was a good spread of ages represented amongst those that replied with strong representation from over-50s.
Question 3: Do you visit the Silver Peaks?
Almost all respondents were existing or former Silver Peaks visitors, with only 6 people offering their views as non-visitors.
Question 4: Do you visit as a family or informal group/individual/organised or club activity/commercially guided group?
48% of visitors went as a family or informal group, 32% as individuals, and 20% as part of an organised or club activity. No respondents went as part of a commercially guided group.
Question 5: What is your main activity?
51% of visitors reported day tramping as their main activity and 41% reported overnight tramping, with many people commenting that they did both. A small number of people used the area principally for mountain-biking, hunting or other activity.
Question 6: How should mountain-biking be catered for in the Silver Peaks?*
Other than 6 individuals who didn't care, nearly all respondents had a view on mountain-biking in the Silver Peaks. Of those with a view, 63% supported mountain-biking access on some tracks, with a further 9% in support of mountain-biking everywhere. At 27% though, there was still a significant proportion who thought mountain-biking should not be catered for in the Silver Peaks.
* Note: Mountain-biking options are still being considered. At this stage, no facility changes are planned as a result of the response to this question.
Question 7: What changes would you like? (Included option 'Leave it as it is')
Respondents could select 'Leave it as it is' or alternatively they could select one or more pre-suggested changes, as well as submitting their own. A significant proportion (40%) did not want to see any changes in the Silver Peaks. However 60% of respondents did want to see at least some changes, with improvements to signs easily being the most popular of the pre-suggested options (about two-thirds of those wanting changes). Less popular suggested changes, but still in significant proportions, were: track improvements (20% of total respondents), more campsites (19%), more huts (19%) and better access from Dunedin (15%).