Queenstown councillors have unanimously accepted the ‘conifer succession plan’ at a neighborhood and companies committee assembly, instructing employees to enter an MOU with the Associates of the Whakatipu Gardens (FOG) and the district’s wilding management group (WCG).
The Douglas fir conifers, which cowl a few third of the Gardens’ 15 hectares, had been planted by the city’s founding fathers as a windbreak for the Gardens’ decorative timber, rose backyard and bowls and tennis golf equipment.
In a report for the committee, parks planning boss Briana Pringle mentioned the timber had been a pest species that degraded soil high quality, unfold seeds and brought about biodiversity loss.
These components and their advancing age meant a succession plan for his or her gradual substitute, over 60 to 80 years, with natives and exotics, sustaining the windbreak perform, was wanted.
A draft plan attracted 44 submissions, of which 23 had been supportive and 4 impartial.
Submitters raised issues concerning the potential lack of wind shelter, however confirmed assist for native replanting and the plan’s lengthy timeframe, Pringle mentioned.
A want for normal opinions prompted ideas for an MOU with FOG, WCG and any future stakeholder teams.
The brand new plantings will start this spring with 72 natives and exotics going into 5 websites, adopted by 93 timber subsequent autumn.
