Wilding concerns voiced

Worries about loss of scenic landscapes and strong input from Queenstown area residents are key results from an Otago Regional Council survey on wilding conifer spread.

The survey is still under way and can be completed on the council's website at www.orc.govt.nz until early next week.

As of early this week 396 people had completed the survey.

More than 54% (209) of respondents said they lived in the Queenstown Lakes District, 24.7% (95) were from Dunedin and 16.9% (65) lived in the Central Otago district.

More than 90% of those who completed the survey said they were concerned about some aspect of the spread of wilding conifers.

And by far the biggest group, 78% (309), were most concerned about "loss of scenic landscapes''.

A further 69.7% (276) were concerned about damage to environmentally sensitive areas, 41.6% highlighted reduced water available in rivers, and 24% voiced concern about reduction in the productivity of pastoral farming land.

Co-chairman of the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, Grant Hensman, of Queenstown, said the survey responses showed a strong level of public awareness of the major problems posed by wilding conifers, much higher than it was 20 years ago.

"There's a growing awareness that we will win or lose this battle on public recognition of this issue both at the local level and at the national level.''

It was also important that the ORC ultimately provided significant financial support for the removal of wilding conifers.

Government funding would be crucial, he said.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement