​Work beginning on Grovers Hill

The next phase of the restoration on Grovers Hill near Roxburgh will begin in the coming fortnight in preparation for replanting.

The crew will begin by windrowing - stacking leftover slash into long narrow rows from the pine forest that had to be felled after being damaged by wind in 2021.

In November last year, the Teviot Valley Community Board approved replanting of the site with Pinus attenuata, a hybrid pine tree with low spread potential. In addition, about 1 hectare will be planted with a mix of native trees to soften the effect of the pine forest.

The Central Otago District Council has three years to replant this site as it is a registered site for carbon credits. If replanting doesn’t happen within that time period, then the Council will be liable to pay these credits back to the Government.

Following the windrowing, plant and animal pest control will be undertaken prior to planting, at this stage planned for early winter.

After the planting, the community and Council will work together to reinstate the walking tracks, and there are also plans to create a mountain bike track within the area.