A plan to restore biodiversity on Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve which is now open for consultation. The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species on the reserve and replant the site with a mixed native/exotic forest and scrub/tussock grassland.

QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that it’s important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our district’s landscapes and native biodiversity.

“The draft FMP guides the staged removal of invasive wilding trees and supports the restoration of a healthy, diverse forest. It assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them,” said Mr Bailey.

“The forestry plan developed in 2006 for Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill is now outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose, so the Parks team have prepared a new plan which applies solely to Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill.”

Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve has become progressively dominated by wilding conifers over the past 60+ years. These trees are an invasive pest species, acting as a seed source and facilitating their spread elsewhere in the Whakatipu basin.

Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle said that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire.

"The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,” said Ms Pringle.  

“Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained. Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability,” she said.

The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards; all while reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. 

“While there’s no funding currently in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 to implement the draft FMP, it’s important that we have an agreed plan in place that reflects the community’s long-term vision and takes into account the impacts of the proposed harvest and replanting of the site, said,” Mr Bailey.

“Ultimately the draft plan aims to help restore biodiversity and ecology in the Whakatipu basin, enhance how people use this space, and ensure it flourishes for future generations to enjoy. This aligns strongly with Council’s commitment in its draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028”, he said.

The draft Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill FMP, a range of supporting material and a submission form are available to view online at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz, and in person at QLDC’s offices and library at 10 Gorge Road.

QLDC’s Parks team will also be hosting three community drop-in sessions in June in Queenstown and Frankton for those keen to discuss the draft plan.

Submissions close on Sunday 6 July. Once they’ve been collated and reviewed and people have had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing on 21 July, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the draft FMP. This will then be presented to Full Council for adoption on 4 September.

Community drop-in sessions

Date: Thursday 12 June between 5.30pm-7.00pm
Location: Queenstown Event Centre, Frankton – Upstairs meeting room

Date: Wednesday 18 June between 12.00pm-1.30pm & 5.30pm-7.00pm
Location: Queenstown Memorial Centre, Queenstown CBD - Supper room