Broom-infested gravel being used on walking tracks alongside Lake Wanaka could result in an outbreak of the invasive noxious weed, an Otago Conservation Board member says.
Andrew Penniket, of Wanaka, said at a meeting of the OCB in Tarras yesterday he had issues with the gravel used by contractor Fulton Hogan, which has been employed by the Otago Regional Council to construct a section of walking trail connecting Wanaka and Glendhu Bay.
He claimed the gravel, from Fulton Hogan's Parkburn Quarry near Cromwell, would create problems because it contained broom seeds.
"The only quarry they [Fulton Hogan] have in the area is surrounded by broom.
"It will become a perennial problem in and around the track."
Mr Penniket is the manager of Te Kakano, a native plant nursery beside the Waterfall Creek track, which propagates plants used in the regeneration of lakeside areas and river corridors.
The Waterfall Creek track is at the start of the Millennium Track alongside Lake Wanaka which forms part of the trail to Glendhu Bay.
Parts of the completed trail run through Department of Conservation land.
The track will be maintained by the Queenstown Lakes District Council once finished.
Fulton Hogan industries manager Peter Matheson said gravel from Parkburn Quarry was excavated from at least 5m under ground.
Excavated gravel was stockpiled below ground level, and there was no broom or gorse inside the quarry.
While wind-blown weed seed might be an issue, properties near the quarry included a contracting yard and several vineyards, and "I certainly haven't seen any broom or gorse growing" on them, he said.
