Image by 68photobug via Flickr

An ongoing debacle between the councils and landowners over the access to a piece of land at a wildlife sanctuary situated south of Cambridge might jeopardize a fated funding of more than $1 million.

Five landowners have already hindered access to fencing at Maungatautari Ecological Island  despite the fact that it is being monitored. This was what Waikato Regional Council chief executive Bob Laing told the councilors yesterday. He added that it might take some time before they can legally out up a fence.

Mr. Laing was giving answers to questions thrown by councilor Jane Hennebry of whether the council is putting their money in the right cause by giving support to the sanctuary.

The discussion came during his submission on the council’s draft long term plan, in which he recommended the council pay $300,000 towards the project in 2012-13, $275,000 the next financial year, $250,000 the year after and a provisional $200,000 in 2015.

Ms. Hennebry also asked the Waikato Regional Council chief executive the assurances that the money that they have allotted for the wildlife sanctuary is being spent for all the right uses.

From Twitter…

 Dispute puts sanctuary cash at risk A stoush between landowners and councils over access to land at a wildlife sanctuary south of Cambrid

— propertyhubnz (Property Hub) (@propertyhubnz) Wed May 16 2012

Mr. Laing, though, had provided some reassurances that the council should still continue to fund the project despite the problems that are posed by some of the landowners.

From YouTube…