Emeritus Professor Daphne Lee, a leading expert on Foulden Maar, a significant paleontological site in New Zealand, has been prevented from accessing the site by the Dunedin City Council. This follows a previous five-year ban related to a mining controversy. Although a five-year consent was granted late last year allowing for multiple visits, the council now claims this was a 'one-off' arrangement.
Prof. Lee argues she was not informed that the consent was limited to a single visit. The council's chief executive, Sandy Graham, maintains that future visits will be considered only after a report on access management is completed in October. This report will address public access, health and safety, and the interests of the surrounding land owner.
The council asserts that the five-year consent was a pragmatic measure for efficiency, allowing for multiple visits but with the understanding that initial access would be granted for a single research group. The council is focused on preserving the fossil record while developing a comprehensive plan for future access.
The ongoing access restriction prevents Prof. Lee from continuing her research and fulfilling speaking engagements related to Foulden Maar. The situation highlights the complexities of managing scientific access to significant sites while balancing various stakeholder interests.