Plan to restore biodiversity on Queenstown Hill
Wilding conifers on Queenstown Hill will be chopped down and replaced by a mixed native and exotic forest, along with shrub and tussock grassland.
That's the plan in Queenstown Lakes District Council's (QLDC) draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve, which is now open for consultation.
The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species, which have progressively dominated the reserve over the past 60+ years. QLDC also has plans to remove them from the Queenstown Gardens, as part of the district-wide battle to stop the spread.
Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle says that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire.
"The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,” Pringle says.
"Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained.
"Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability."
The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will, however, affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards, she says.
The draft FMP assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them.
It's available to view online a letstalk.qldc.govt.nz, and in person at QLDC’s offices and library at 10 Gorge Road.
Submissions close on Sunday, 6 July. Visit letstalk.qldc.govt.nz
Community drop-in sessions
Where: Queenstown Event Centre, Frankton – Upstairs meeting room
When: Thursday 12 June between 5.30pm-7pm
Where: Queenstown Memorial Centre, Queenstown CBD - Supper room
When: Wednesday 18 June between 12pm-1.30pm & 5.30pm-7pm
