When we launched this petition, our focus was clear: stop inappropriate large-scale development on Ben Lomond and Bowen Peak and protect one of Queenstown's most treasured public landscapes.

Since then, the stakes have become even higher.

The Government has introduced the Conservation Amendment Bill, which proposes the biggest changes to New Zealand's conservation laws in decades. At the same time, the Fast-track Approvals Act has created new pathways for large developments to progress with more limited opportunities for public scrutiny and input.

While these are separate laws, together they signal a significant shift in how public conservation land is managed. Instead of putting conservation first, they place increasing emphasis on enabling commercial development and streamlining approvals.

For places like Ben Lomond, that matters.

Ben Lomond isn't just another piece of land—it is one of the most accessible and iconic natural areas in Aotearoa. Thousands of locals and visitors walk, run and ride here every year. It provides habitat for native species, protects outstanding landscapes, and is central to Queenstown's identity.

Under the proposed Conservation Amendment Bill, the long-standing principle that conservation is the primary purpose of public conservation land would be weakened to make it easier for economic development that is considered "not inconsistent with conservation." The Government has also proposed changes to concession processes and land management intended to facilitate more commercial activity on conservation land.

At the same time, the Fast-track regime reduces the role of the wider public in decision-making on major developments. While some consultation still occurs, decisions are increasingly concentrated within ministerial and expert panel processes rather than the robust, transparent public processes many New Zealanders expect.

Taken together, these changes make campaigns like ours more important than ever.

This has never been about opposing all development. It is about ensuring that the places held in trust for all New Zealanders remain protected, and that communities continue to have a meaningful voice in decisions that will shape them for generations.

Ben Lomond deserves careful, transparent decision-making—not shortcuts.

If you've already signed this petition, thank you. Please continue sharing it with your friends, family and networks. If you haven't yet made a submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill, now is the time. Every submission sends a clear message that New Zealanders value wild places, meaningful community participation, and laws that put conservation first.

Together, we can protect Ben Lomond—and help protect the principles that safeguard public conservation land across Aotearoa.