Soon after being told off for stopping unformed roads considered a "treasure trove" by recreational users, the Central Otago District turned down an application to stop two unformed roads.
A delegation from the Central Otago Recreational Users Forum met the council this week to plead its case for wider discussion when applications were made to stop unformed or paper roads in the district.
The organisation represents 64 clubs, recreational groups and individuals and its aim was to marry the conflicting uses of public land, forum secretary Jan Kelly, of Wanaka, said.
"We'd hope that any closures of paper roads would be initiated by the council, not prompted by individuals who have a financial interest embedded," she said.
The forum would like to be considered as an affected party whenever such a stoppage was considered.
Paper roads were a national resource, forum chairman Morley Williams, of Cromwell, said.
Mayor Tony Lepper said the forum's views might prompt a change in the way the council dealt with such matters. "I take it you have told us off."
Later in the meeting, the council decided against stopping two unformed legal roads on Keddell Rd, at Springvale.
Several councillors said the land was used for recreational purposes and should be retained.
