Conflicting views on this, opposition to any subdivision on the property, and a call for the council to sell the $2.6 million 328ha block were among opinions aired by 14 submitters during the hearing chaired by Mayor Dave Cull.
Ms Parker, who has been undertaking weed control on the Otago Peninsula for many years, said it was better for a few bush preservation and planting projects to be done well than for the "whole lot to go back to nature".
Her view was supported by the Save the Otago Peninsula group (Stop), which had been instrumental in lobbying the council to buy the block when it came up for sale in 2008.
Speaking for Stop, during the hearing of submissions on the property's draft management plan, Jenny Winter said continuing farming at this stage was essential to control weeds, and letting the block return to nature was idealistic and "completely impractical".
She paid tribute to the attitude of lessee Brendon Cross, whose "heart is in the right place" and who had taken part in Stop planting on the site.
Among those putting the opposite view was Matt Thomson, of Forest and Bird, who said the organisation did not support sheep farming on the block.
The "rural" character of the property did not contribute positively to the property's ecosystems, water catchments, soil health "or anything that we can think of", the organisation's submission stated.
He expressed concern that the lease Mr Cross holds, which expires in 2016, had been "rolled over" around the time of the council purchase which would limit what could be done on the property for the next five years.
Hearing committee member Irene Scurr said it would depend very much on what was suggested and she did not see the lease inhibiting proposals "to any great extent".
Mr Cull said the existing agricultural landscape was one of the aspects of the property which many in the community had valued and it was a question of being able to balance that with the other values seen as important.
He said Stop could take "a lot of credit for the journey we're on now".
Mr Cross told the hearing he supported the overall management plan but emphasised the need for ongoing communication with him on implications for farming.
However, he said the "tail doesn't wag the dog" and he understood if something was seen as a priority, he as a lessee would have to work around that.
Tony Parata, who farms at Puketeraki, urged the council to sell the property after putting in place covenants to protect rural amenity and landscape which could preclude subdivision.
He said it was irresponsible for the council to be making decisions without financial data and without regard to the future cost to ratepayers.
The city was "burdened enough as it is without this project becoming a further drain on rates".
Jane Forsyth, of Sandymount Rd, was one of several submitters opposed to a subdivision of flat land off Sandymount Rd.
She said there was nowhere in the area proposed where a dwelling could be hidden.
Ms Forsyth also pointed out, with the aid of photographs, that while councils could control building design and colour, there was less control about other things people might put on properties including vehicles and containers.
"I could have done a whole photo essay about ostentatious gates," she said.
The planning hearing committee, which also includes Crs Kate Wilson and Jinty McTavish, were to visit the block yesterday to inspect the areas proposed for subdivision.
They will also check out concerns raised by the owners of Larnach Castle about proposed entrances to walking tracks from Camp Rd.
Margaret Barker told the hearing an entrance 60m past the castle entrance would increase the risk of vandalism and theft, which had been an issue since people started parking cars in the area.
She suggested the access needs could be met by the next entrance further down Camp Rd by the old farmstead.
Speaking after the deliberations, Mr Cull said he was "pretty proud" at the way the process of developing the management plan had gone. Many of the 40 submitters had been complimentary about the extent of consultation involved since the council bought the property.
While there were questions about whether the plan had got the balance of values right, he hoped submitters realised it was important that options were not closed off at this stage.
It is likely to be next year before the committee's recommendations are considered by the city council.
- elspeth.mclean@ odt.co.nz
