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TIME LINE
1992 - Comunity groups propose a secure wildlife sanctuary in the Karori reservoir valley
1994 - March - Study confirms sanctuary's technical and financial feasibility. September - Public consultation shows 90 percent support for project 1995 - Trust board set up to manage implementing the project 1996 - Draft management plan out for public discussion 1997 - April - Second draft of plan goes to Wellington City and Regional Councils. August - Final draft out for public discussion. September - WCC working party set up to assess risks of project to council. November - Project resource consent hearings 2000 - Sanctuary to open -------------------- Karori wildlife sanctuary backers are seeking the green light for their project. Barry Hawkins reports.
THE attractions claimed for the planned Karori wildlife sanctuary seem almost too good to be true. For a comparatively small investment, in terms of major tourism ventures, of around $8 million, its backers say the sanctuary could pull in up to 150,000 visitors annually.
This would put it second behind the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa, as a tourist magnet in a city struggling to cash in on the international tourist trade.
More importantly they say the money would create the most significant private conservation project in New Zealand.
It would be a refuge for endangered species and showplace of Wellington's ecology the way it once was, just a few minutes from the city centre in a secluded 250ha valley not well known, even to long- term Wellington residents.
Next month the sanctuary trust will seek resource consents needed for the initial stages of the project - including a 9km-long perimeter fence to keep out predators and a visitor centre.
This is a green project with impeccable credentials, reflected in its support among high profile business and community leaders and politicians.
Former NZ...