Residents upset at a planned felling of wilding pines at a popular recreational spot just south of Alexandra, are calling for more consultation before the work begins.  

Neighbours told The Central App they were taken aback in early October to read in local media that the trees were to be cleared within a matter of days. None spoken to had been notified about the work by the Central Otago District Council(CODC).

While aware the pines were a potential seed source for what is an invasive species, concerns had been raised at the destruction of habitat of native birds and reptiles, exposure of soils to wind erosion and loss of recreational and amenity values.

Ken Churchill lives nearby and says while he understood the trees were a pest species he questioned how much research had been done in identifying which trees from the whole area were actually spreading seed. He was upset council had not consulted residents to gain a wider view of how many people used the area, its value in terms of a shady walking place, habitat for tui, bellbird and wood pigeons, a trail biking area and greenbelt for the entrance to town.

“It is an easy option for council to wave a flag about wilding pines but they should have spoken to people. They wouldn’t know who goes there. It is such a fabulous place, undeveloped and there are lots of trails. There are so many sides to it and it’s shocking there was no consultation.”

Another neighbour, Jarrad Gillum, said he often saw owls, geckos and many tui while walking with his grandchildren. He believed the clearance of all the trees in one operation would create an exposed eyesore where nothing would grow because of the lack of shelter and water.

“We’re going to get hammered by wind and dust but if you clear strips you can use the remaining trees as a windbreak for plantings. Nothing’s going to grow without any shade unless you irrigate.”

He believed people would be very upset to see all the trees felled and that protests were a possibility.

The CODC paused its plan to fell the trees last month in order to fully consider people’s views but the decision to go ahead with the eradication plan had now been confirmed, CODC acting executive manager of Planning and Environment Lee Webster said in a statement.

“Further discussion has reinforced the council‘s belief that the site, having been identified as key to the spread of wilding conifers to other sites nearby, needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.”

The statement outlined that the control operation, also being undertaken at the Lower Manorburn Dam reserve, is expected to be carried out before the end of the year. 

“In going ahead, the Council would be taking a lead as responsible landowners and making a commitment to a New Zealand-wide initiative to preserve the country’s vulnerable landscapes through the eradication of pests that cause widespread destruction to the environment, such as wilding conifers”, Central Otago District Council Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said. 

"The 14-hectare Half Mile Reserve at the southern entrance to the town, was vested in the Council in 1973 as a reserve. Early photos show the area bare of trees in 1956. The existing pine trees were not planted, and most likely self-seeded from nearby trees over the past 30-40 years,” Mr Bailey said.

Wilding pines will be cleared from this site beside State Highway 8 near Alexandra, before the end of the year.

“There is real potential for this reserve once the trees have been removed and the existing rock and archaeological features exposed. There are two pre-1900 water races, a sluice gulch remnant and the historic Alexandra-Roxburgh Road alignment, which could be featured.”

Interpretation panels could tell the story of the site, non-spreading plants established including natives if possible, and a trail network formed to provide safe access for all users, he said.

The Council has engaged a professional to provide options for the site for consideration by the wider community.

Vincent Community Board chairperson Martin McPherson said yesterday council asked people on private land to remove wilding pines so had to be a good corporate citizen and remove them on its own land. He said a landscape plan would be informally viewed by the board next week. Discussions would follow with residents but only to assess options for enhancing the site post-felling.

“They are a noxious weed. It’s not a case of leaving some behind. We’ll end up with a very good recreational reserve there and I do share the resident’s concerns about what it’s going to look like. That’s the reality of it. We may need to look at putting water in.” 

In a statement the council said it has arranged with the logging contractor to process slash on site, with chip left behind to provide mulch for possible future planting.

Logs will be sold to offset some of the removal costs. Stumps will remain because of the removal cost and to provide soil stability.

The Council will be working with the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Group, and the CODC contribution to the Half Mile and Lower Manorburn reserves’ wilding removal

is in the vicinity of $25,000. The balance will be funded by the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Trust using funds allocated by the Government for this work, according to the council statement.

Mr Bailey confirmed that council had no plans to change the reserve status or use the land for any other purpose.