Birdlife to benefit from gold mine amenity money

In return for hosting a gold mine for five years, Earnscleugh residents might enjoy a big boost in native birdsong.

Plans have been floated for a bird sanctuary at the Fraser Domain, beside the Fraser River.

The project, approved in principle by the Vincent Community Board last week, would use some of the $81,280 amenity fund created as a condition of L&M Mining gaining resource consent for an alluvial gold mine on the Earnscleugh flats.

The Earnscleugh Community Society is the recipient of the funds and said it wanted to use some to upgrade the kitchen at the Earnscleugh Hall but the rest would be devoted to the sanctuary, a major project which would take several years to complete.

‘‘We see it as a legacy, not only for Earnscleugh residents but for the wider area,'' society secretary Louise Joyce told the board.

Earnscleugh resident Brian Taylor said the society initially planned to earthquake-strengthen the hall, which could cost between $130,000 and $140,000. About that time, there were ‘‘murmurings'' from central Government about changes to strengthening requirements for some at-risk buildings, such as low-use public buildings, Mr Taylor said.

‘‘It was felt premature to spend all that money on the hall ... ''

The Fraser Domain was closed for camping on September 1, 2014. At the height of summer, when it operated as a camping ground, it accommodated about 100 orchard workers and 50 holidaymakers a night.

There was no potable water on site and the camping facilities comprised an ablution block containing six long-drop toilets.

A basic upgrade would cost between $300,000 and $400,000, the board was told in 2014. It decided the only option was to close the site for camping but retain it as a recreation reserve.

Mr Taylor said there were tui and bellbirds in the area and replanting the domain would attract more native birdlife.

‘‘Traditional food and nectar sources are currently being provided by private garden plantings, but for bird populations to increase, there needs to be a corresponding lift in the range and extent of nectar sources and/or suitable berry-producing plants and shrubs.''

The next stage of the proposal was to prepare a plan showing the design and planting. Board member Barry Hambleton said it would draw visitors to the area.

The Earnscleugh gold mine closed in September 2014, five years into what was a planned seven-year operation. L&M cited depressed gold prices and the high dollar as reasons.

In 2004, the Environment Court made the amenity fund a condition of L&M gaining consent to mine.

The fund was originally $62,500 (0.5% of the capital value of establishing the mine, including the project plant).

The money is held in trust by the Central Otago District Council.

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