Council to adopt wilding conifer policy

The Central Otago District Council considered a policy on wilding conifer control at its meeting on 6 July.

The aim of the policy is to deliver a consistent approach to wilding conifer removal on Council owned land across the district.

It would encompass Council’s leadership and responsibility as a landowner by controlling wilding conifers on its own land to address the negative impacts being: loss of landscape and aesthetic values; impacts on conservation values including loss of indigenous biodiversity; loss of productive land, effects on hydrological values and threat of dangerous wildfire.

The Council considered whether they should further consult on the policy. There was acknowledgment that wilding conifers are an identified pest nationally, regionally and locally and Council debated whether they needed to hear the community views on the matter before making a decision.

It was agreed not to further consult because the policy would give effect to the Otago Regional Council’s Regional Pest Management Plan, and also the Council’s Long-term Plan which contains funding of $50,000 per year for three years for the removal of wilding conifers on Council land.

The policy was adopted without requiring further consultation.