Applying to upgrade Greengates Saddletrack

A property company linked to reclusive millionaire record producer Mutt Lange, former husband of country music star Shania Twain, has applied to upgrade and extend a track near Queenstown.

Soho Property Ltd applied for land use consent to upgrade a track and construct new portions of track from Long Gully over the Greengates Saddle to the Greengates Hut on Skippers Rd. The application was formally received by Lakes Environmental on January 13.

Affected party approval was attached.

Named applicant and high country farmer Russell Hamilton, who supervises operations on Motatapu, Mt Soho and Glencoe stations, advised Lakes Environmental the intention was to improve the track to allow four-wheel-drive access.

"Particular care will be taken with the batters and to protect the track from scouring," Mr Hamilton said in the email.

"Culverts will be put in where required and all disturbed areas will be oversown on completion, including the track itself."

Soho Property was granted consent to buy the Crown pastoral lease of Coronet Peak Station, near Queenstown, on the 22,211ha high country station, which adjoins the ski area, off Skippers Rd, by the Overseas Investment Office, on June 27 last year.