Back in 2012 Geoff was talking to DOC about Tunnel Creek - " ...it was volunteered that the hut was on the remove list and that was currently being discussed. I was told the hut was beyond repair effectively and that removal was inevitable 'in the near future'".

That got Permolat's attention (see www.remotehuts.co.nz) and after much discussion it was Geof again who took on semi-formal responsibility, by signing a "maintain by community" agreement with DOC,  to do some repairs and secure the hut's continued existence. A quick survey revealed the hut structure and metal cladding were sound and maintenance was totally do-able. Any talk of the hut having supposedly reached the end of its life and needing to be removed has turned out to be at best bureaucratic obfuscation.

Now after two working trips the classic SF70 design is again weather and rat proof, the matressess are cleaner, the firewood restocked and both the interior and the exterior are being prepped for their first repaint in many years. The five hour valley walk from the West Coast highway has been re-cut and marked.   

The work has been done by a small group of volunteers with some material assistance from Permolat. 

James Scott (Helicopters)has assisted with helicopter time and Ben Monk has been generous with access to his property and

Wayne and Ian at Franz DOC have been very positive and supportive.