Do you want to apply for a permit just to go for a run?
The Silverstream trails are vital to Dunedin’s community, offering much-loved recreational space, supporting physical and mental well-being, and significant economic benefits through events like the New Zealand trail running championships.Despite this, the Dunedin City Council’s (DCC) new proposed water bylaw threatens to restrict this access.
The proposed changes include:
- Total access bans: Powder Ridge and Greengauge tracks would be off-limits without a permit, cutting off access to routes between Whare Flat, Pulpit Rock, Jubilee Hut, and Mountain Road.
- Restricted access: Popular routes - including the Swampy Ridge Track, Steve Amies Track, Racemans Track, and Little Coal Creek Track - would be restricted to tramping, hunting, trapping, and fishing. Crucially, the current draft bylaw does not recognise running or day walking as an allowable activity in these zones.
We urge the Dunedin City Council to recognise the vital importance of keeping these trails open and accessible.
Notably, the bylaw fails to explain why this access is being restricted. These closures do not align with the DCC’s own Three Waters plans, which focus on infrastructure supply issues and do not identify any problems within the catchment area itself. Because there is no evidence of a problem to solve, adding these inefficient and unnecessary permitting processes and restrictions is unwarranted.
Let’s preserve the Silverstream catchment area trails for everyone to enjoy. Please sign and share this petition to show your support for maintaining open access to these invaluable community areas!
Updates
Thank you - Council listened!
July 24, 2026
Council changed the proposed by-law wording so that "tramping, trail running or any similar on-foot activity" are allowed within restricted catchment areas (like Silverstream). The Councilors adopted the new by law last month!
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 14, 2026
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 27, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
April 26, 2026
707 Comments
I fail to see why recreational activities in the Silverpeaks, which are highly valued by some Dunedinites, would need to be restricted to protect the Silverstream watershed. What evidence is there that these activities threaten the water supply?
Access should only be restricted where clear evidence is available and shown that there is a problem and that limiting access would resolve the issue. Any limitations to access should be specific to activities and locations that have been proven to be an issue.
These trails are amazing and where my family and I run every week. It would a great loss for the community and my family if our access to these trails was restricted. Dunedin's reputation as a great trail running community would be severely impacted.
What is the DCC trying to achieve? This appears to be completely contrary to encouraging people to visit Dunedin. I walked Powder Ridge to Jubilee hut only a couple of weeks ago: 2 families, 4 children. What on earth can be the reason for banning access?
The Three Peaks race offers the most wonderful circuit for runners and walkers, that brings participants from around the country. The proposed tracks closures will mean this event cannot continue and they will reduce the track options for everyone.
Just back off DCC.!!
This is public land and should stay so. You should not have to have a permit to go for a walk, what kind of Orwellian world do we live in.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Do you want to apply for a permit just to go for a run?
The Silverstream trails are vital to Dunedin’s community, offering much-loved recreational space, supporting physical and mental well-being, and significant economic benefits through events like the New Zealand trail running championships.Despite this, the Dunedin City Council’s (DCC) new proposed water bylaw threatens to restrict this access.
The proposed changes include:
- Total access bans: Powder Ridge and Greengauge tracks would be off-limits without a permit, cutting off access to routes between Whare Flat, Pulpit Rock, Jubilee Hut, and Mountain Road.
- Restricted access: Popular routes - including the Swampy Ridge Track, Steve Amies Track, Racemans Track, and Little Coal Creek Track - would be restricted to tramping, hunting, trapping, and fishing. Crucially, the current draft bylaw does not recognise running or day walking as an allowable activity in these zones.
We urge the Dunedin City Council to recognise the vital importance of keeping these trails open and accessible.
Notably, the bylaw fails to explain why this access is being restricted. These closures do not align with the DCC’s own Three Waters plans, which focus on infrastructure supply issues and do not identify any problems within the catchment area itself. Because there is no evidence of a problem to solve, adding these inefficient and unnecessary permitting processes and restrictions is unwarranted.
Let’s preserve the Silverstream catchment area trails for everyone to enjoy. Please sign and share this petition to show your support for maintaining open access to these invaluable community areas!
Updates
Thank you - Council listened!
July 24, 2026
Council changed the proposed by-law wording so that "tramping, trail running or any similar on-foot activity" are allowed within restricted catchment areas (like Silverstream). The Councilors adopted the new by law last month!
Reached 2,500 supporters
June 14, 2026
Reached 1,000 supporters
April 27, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
April 26, 2026
707 Comments
These are some of my favourite trails for running in Dunedin, and they provide such an important boost to my physical and mental health. I can't see how (any) advantage of restricting their access will outweigh the many intangible benefits they provide
I fail to see why recreational activities in the Silverpeaks, which are highly valued by some Dunedinites, would need to be restricted to protect the Silverstream watershed. What evidence is there that these activities threaten the water supply?
Access should only be restricted where clear evidence is available and shown that there is a problem and that limiting access would resolve the issue. Any limitations to access should be specific to activities and locations that have been proven to be an issue.
These trails are amazing and where my family and I run every week. It would a great loss for the community and my family if our access to these trails was restricted. Dunedin's reputation as a great trail running community would be severely impacted.
What is the DCC trying to achieve? This appears to be completely contrary to encouraging people to visit Dunedin. I walked Powder Ridge to Jubilee hut only a couple of weeks ago: 2 families, 4 children. What on earth can be the reason for banning access?
The Three Peaks race offers the most wonderful circuit for runners and walkers, that brings participants from around the country. The proposed tracks closures will mean this event cannot continue and they will reduce the track options for everyone.
Just back off DCC.!!
This is public land and should stay so. You should not have to have a permit to go for a walk, what kind of Orwellian world do we live in.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 5,000 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
These are some of my favourite trails for running in Dunedin, and they provide such an important boost to my physical and mental health. I can't see how (any) advantage of restricting their access will outweigh the many intangible benefits they provide