Huge boost for Queenstown’s battle against wilding pines

The Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group’s (WCG) bid to control and reduce the rapidly expanding 73,000 hectares of wilding pine infestation around the Wakatipu basin has received a major funding boost.

Central Lakes Trust today confirmed a grant of $1.7 million towards the total cost of the four year project of approximately $5 million. The National government has pledged an additional $900,000 dollars over the next two years and the balance of the funding will be provided by landowners, Queenstown Lakes District Council, the Department of Conservation, Skyline Enterprises, Land Information New Zealand, and The Lottery Grants Board.

“After years of struggling to protect the area’s iconic landscapes from the relentless onslaught of wilding pines, this funding will enable us to actually make some headway in getting the problem under control,” says WCG Co-Chairman Grant Hensman.

“Wilding pines are an invasive pest as devastating to New Zealand as rats, stoats, possums, gorse and broom. Their spread threatens Queenstown’s iconic natural landscapes, our native species, our farmland, our water and our tourism industry. However, if we act now we can safeguard our outstanding natural heritage for future generations.”

The money will be used to bring the wilding threat back to manageable levels after which stage a maintenance programme will be put in place.

“This is one of the biggest grants that Central lakes Trust has made and is a reflection of how much of a threat wilding pines are to our environment” Paul Allison, Chief Executive of Central Lakes Trust said.

“Our Trustees are committed to making our community a better place to be and this grant is another example of supporting major projects that have secured funding from other key partners and stakeholders to support the very significant contribution from volunteers” Mr Allison said.

National MP Maggie Barry here with us today to celebrate the support between the Government and the WCG, says “Wilding pines are introduced eco invaders that have absolutely no place in this magnificent iconic high country and we are pleased to make our contribution to such a successful and significant local partnership”

“Wilding pines are one of the single biggest creeping threats to the outstanding natural landscape of the Queenstown Lakes District. It is not only entirely fitting that Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group has attracted the support and funding from Council and other funding agencies, it is critical” said Queenstown Lakes Mayor, Vanessa van Uden.

“The work undertaken by the charity’s numerous volunteers, including countless hours of eradication, is actually legacy work. The legacy is in the preservation of the landscapes for generations to come”

The WCG will be holding drop-in evenings and lunchtime sessions to help further educate the public on the benefits of this programme and discuss where pines will remain. Further information will also be provided on the group’s website: www.wakatipuwilding.co.nz

“We realise that there are tough decisions to be made about removing wilding conifers but if left their seed will continue to grow for kilometres. We welcome community involvement in these decisions,” says WGC Co – chairman Peter Willsman

“Most people totally understand why we’re out there breaking our backs to get these weeds under control but you hear the odd comment that they look good or provide shelter. Once people make the link to the ecological damage, particularly the lack of native birds in Queenstown due to the spread of wildings, attitudes seem to change. Wilding trees are Queenstown’s ecological disaster.”

ENDS

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