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Dunstan Downs Station In The Lindis Pass Saved
EDS is extremely pleased with the recent tenure review outcome for Dunstan Downs Station, an iconic High Country station in the Lindis Pass.
“Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand yesterday announced that 99% of the Station would be returned to conservation land. This is one of the highest percentages of a lease to become conservation land under the tenure review process,” said EDS Solicitor Cordelia Woodhouse.
“This is a significant improvement on what was proposed in the Preliminary Proposal, which was released for consultation in 2020 and is consistent with the EDS submission.
“EDS submitted on the Preliminary Proposal seeking protection of the entire lease (homestead and curtilage excepted) in crown ownership on the basis of the significant inherent values present on the site. Its submission was supported by a landscape assessment by Di Lucas, Lucas Associates.
“The Lindis Pass, including the whole of the Dunstan Downs pastoral lease, is recognised as an outstanding natural landscape. It is an area viewed and enjoyed by many as it flanks the state highway through part of the Lindis Pass – the gateway to the Mackenzie Country.
“The area contains a range of vegetation types, including the presence of full ecological sequences and provides important habitat for a number of threatened or declining species. It is also one of the best examples of tussock landscapes in the Canterbury region.
“In its submission EDS raised concerns that freeholding would open the land up to significant development pressure, including the possibility of plantation forestry. This is because of the lenient development rules in the current Waitaki District Plan.
“EDS commends Toitū Te Whenua and the Commissioner of Crown Lands for their role in protecting the ecological and landscape values of one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most valued landscapes,” Ms Woodhouse concluded.
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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