Do you want to contribute to improving tramper safety in Nelson Lakes National Park?
Expressions of interest are now open to become part of an Issue Specific Advisory Group (ISAG) which will focus on developing prevention solutions that aim to reduce safety incidents for trampers/walkers in the Angelus Hut/Robert Ridge area.
The Mountain Safety Council (MSC) has identified Robert Ridge and the surrounding Angelus Hut access tracks as being one of the leading hotspots for tramping incidents. With 47 people involved in search and rescues and a further two fatalities over a 9-year period (July 2010 — June 2019), the rate of incidents is one of the highest in NZ.
The decision to implement an ISAG was based on a combination of insights developed through the analysis of data from ACC, NZ Police, NZ Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the Ministry of Justice’s Coronial Services Unit.
There is a clear commitment from partner organisations such as the Department of Conservation and Tasman Police that now is the right time to tackle this important and complicated issue.
“DOC supports the MSC establishing an Issue Specific Advisory Group focused on the Robert Ridge/Angelus Hut area. We’re looking forward to working together to implement solutions that will improve visitor safety within our wonderful National Park.” — John Wotherspoon, DOC Operations Manager, Rotoiti / Nelson Lakes District.
“The Robert Ridge Route is frequently underestimated by trampers and we can clearly see through the insights MSC has developed that it has more preventable safety incidents than other popular tracks in the same area. It is a beautiful trip and it is easily accessible, so that makes it a very attractive option, but it is also very exposed. People do underestimate it; it is an alpine track and even in summer you can get snow. Tasman Police are excited to support this prevention focused approach” — Sergeant Malcom York, NZ Police, Tasman District.
For members of the Advisory Group this is a unique opportunity to work with New Zealand’s lead land-based outdoor safety organisation, on a project solely focused on improving safety outcomes.
The purpose of the Advisory Group is to utilise insights to identify what is causing people to experience safety issues, and to use their expertise to develop specific targeted interventions that aim to reduce the number of safety incidents for those walking/tramping to and from Angelus Hut.
Mountain Safety Council Chief Executive Mike Daisley says “Using an evidence-based approach ensures we’re focusing our collective prevention resources on issues that need to be solved, rather than what we think needs solving. This approach will enable us to make the greatest difference to reducing incidents in the outdoors.”
MSC is inviting expressions of interest from all interested people. A final eight to twelve individuals will be selected to form the Advisory Group. A diverse range of competencies, experience and professional expertise is required. No prior experience tramping in the area is required.
The Issue Specific Advisory Group process benefits from a diverse range of people involved, this may include knowledge or experience in:
- an understanding of human decision making including social and psychological factors
- the ability to understand a target audience and develop systems or content that best serves that audience
- the ability to make evidence-based decisions.
Interested? Follow the Next Steps
Before expressing your interest please read the ISAG Terms of Reference
For more information about this unique opportunity (including how the advisory process works) please email: Bevan.smith@mountainsafety.org.nz
To express your interest please Apply online
Applications are due by 3 August 2020.
- NZ Mountain Safety Council -
