Two options for replanting Alexandra’s Half Mile Reserve presented to the Vincent Community Board (VCB) became three options at yesterday’s (Tuesday May 2) board meeting.

After discussion the board chose a third option which included more community consultation.

The pine trees on the site have been deemed a pest under the Central Otago District Council wilding pines policy and will be removed in June.

While some members of the community continue to agitate for the trees to remain, the council and community board have moved on to assessing replanting options.

On yesterday’s agenda were two options for replanting the Half Mile Reserve after removing the existing pines.

Option A included allowing for shelter plantings along the western boundary consisting entirely of kanuka, manuka, pittosporum, and native beech.

Overhead image of option A showing native plantings on the western boundary

With irrigation, these plants should be between two and five metres in height after eight to 10 years, the council report estimated. 

The planting would be tiered, with kanuka, manuka, and pittosporum providing shelter from ground level to mid-height, and the beech providing higher protection.

Native grey shrubland plantings proposed in and around the rock formations would be in keeping with what was on the site originally and are plants known to grow in the local environment, the report said.

Several areas in the reserve have been set aside in the plan for various community plantings which council said are often requested.

Option B has the same native plantings as option A, but the planting would be moved five metres off the boundary line to enable a row of poplars to be planted to provide a more rapid-growing shelterbelt.

Option B showing the alternative shelterbelt in place

After years eight to 10, the initial shelterbelt would be removed, leaving the semi-mature native shelterbelt to mature and provide long-term protection from wind and sun, the report said.

The VCB preferred option B, but with the addition of community engagement on the choice of trees for the shelterbelt and around the walking tracks on the reserve.

Board members said they felt there needed to be more flexibility around preferred planting options and that there needed to be further discussion over tree species. 

There are also some restrictions to planting close to the rock structures within the site to ensure the council complies with the approved Lizard Management Plan.

After the meeting, Central Otago District Council community experience group manager David Scoones said staff were looking forward to talking to the community about planting options and moving on to the project's next stage.

The council will let the public know how they can give feedback in the near future.