Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Crosshills decision

Queenstown Lakes District Council has completed their investigation after receiving information that a Significant Natural Area (SNA) near Wanaka had been cultivated.

QLDC has negotiated an agreed plan to remedy the cultivation, which involves an Enforcement Order issued by the Environment Court and includes $92,000 of remediation works.

QLDC regulatory manager Lee Webster said the Council investigated the removal of a protected short tussock grassland and cushion field landscape, classified as an SNA after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.

“The area in question was 10.28 ha of short tussock grassland and cushion field located on the Crosshill Farm owned by Sunnyheights Limited. The investigation determined that much of the area had been cultivated,” Mr Webster said.

“We have since worked very closely with the landowner who has cooperated fully with the investigation and taken a proactive approach to resolving the matter,” he said.

It was established that the removal of the SNA was due to a breakdown in communication between the Landowner’s Lessee and contractors and will not be laying charges. The Landowner is a party to the remediation agreement.

Crosshill Farm’s owner, Sunnyheights Limited through a spokesperson said that “It was an unfortunate and regrettable mistake that any of the SNA was cultivated and since finding out that the contractors had cultivated the SNA, without their knowledge, they have done everything in their power to remedy the situation, including engaging professionals to prepare in-depth ecology reports and remediation plans. They have also agreed to pay the Council’s costs as another gesture of goodwill. Agreed extensive new planting and new fencing of the area will result in an enhancement of the landscape”.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The investigation, which took into account QLDC’s Enforcement Strategy and Prosecution Policy, determined that the most appropriate course of action was a joint Enforcement Order, requiring remediation of the SNA and introducing another area for protection.

“The remediation will involve fencing approximately 3.5 hectares of the land within the SNA, which will protect the remaining cushion plants and tussock landscape, as well as further plantings of native shrubs to the area. A further 6.7 hectares of land to the west of the SNA will also be protected and enhanced by fencing the boundary and planting native shrubs,” Mr Webster said.

“QLDC has an important role to play in protecting and preserving the district’s unique environment. While it’s disappointing when we need to investigate these matters, it’s encouraging to see the landowner taking responsibility, recognising the importance of our natural environment and working with us to address this issue, which will provide a higher level of protection.

ENDS:


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.