Strong words warning of the threat to Central Otago posed by wilding pines were not enough to sway the Vincent Community Board yesterday in deciding the immediate fate of trees at the Half Mile Reserve.

Sir Grahame Sydney speaking as a member of the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group (COWCCG) urged Central Otago District Council to undertake more education, on what he described as the “cancerous growth” of wilding pines across Central Otago.

During a lengthy meeting he told the board via video link that the region’s point of difference based on its open tussock-dominated landscape and golden hues, was in danger of becoming “overall green” and indistinct from other areas.

“I would like to see Central Otago as close to its natural state … a dream I know, but one worth fighting for.”

The trees, owned by CODC, were identified by the COWCCG as a wilding pine seed source and originally set for removal in October last year. 

This was partly to be paid through $25,000 of allocated council funds.

No public consultation about the removal was legally required, however nearby residents were upset to learn through media reports at the time, about what they saw as the loss of a valued recreational area. 

The felling was subsequently paused while council prepared a landscape concept plan with ideas for planting and facilities to be developed after the felling. 

Half Mile resident Chris Winter said he represented 37 neighbours of the reserve, when defending the retention of its trees yesterday.

Yesterday nearby resident Chris Winter spoke to the board in representation of 37 neighbours, arguing the findings of the COWCCG that the site was the source for pines spreading across the Clutha/ Mata-Au River into high country farmland.

In a 10-page report the group also refuted the wild status of the trees, stating the radiata pines had been planted by early residents to provide shelter and an entrance to the town. 

The area provided walking and biking tracks as well as native bird and gecko habitat.

“The negative impact to the community and the ecology of our area of the removal of these trees would be far greater than the very slow spread (if any) of some localised wilding pines that are already being well managed by the existing landowners,” the report stated.

COWCCG representative Phil Murray told the meeting that wind was the predominant method by which seed was spread and he was confident the site was one source for pines appearing across the river.

“You only have to get up in a helicopter or look at Google Earth to see that spread.”

He said some older trees the resident group claimed had arrived by deliberate aerial seeding for stock shelter on adjacent farmland may have done so, but younger specimens would have been sourced from subsequent windblown seed.

Deputy board chairman Russell Garbutt also questioned the certainty of the seed source, claiming some pines spread while others did not depending on various factors.

The CODC, who are obligated to control pest species, had recommended all the trees be felled and landscaping based on a “natural Central Otago” theme be implemented. 

As the work had not been budgeted for, around $138,000 could be used for this from the Alexandra Reserves Contribution. 

The Board instead resolved to “leave the matter on the table” to allow time for a development plan and possible public consultation to be worked on by council.

Some members favoured gradual removal of the pines, with existing trees providing shelter for plantings that would eventually replace them.