Outcome Six: Environment
Taiao
A flourishing natural environment | He taiao e puāwai ana
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Key
2022-2025Year of deliveryAdaptationMitigationBiodiversity and sequestrationWe integrate native regeneration and carbon removal6.1
Collaborate with regional partners to undertake a review of the impact of climate change on indigenous ecosystems in the district.
UPDATEUpdate
17 December 2023Council has funded an ecological research study through a project with Southern Lakes Sanctuary, Mana Tāhuna Charitable Trust, and WAI Wānaka, to assess potential ecosystem and fauna attribute mapping and identification of potential invasive predator elimination sites within the district. The final report was made available in November, with the GIS mapping tool available on the QLDC Spatial Data Hub (https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/87611f79878744679176d30cfb066eb4).
More information is available here:
https://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-news/local-life/ground-breaking-report-released/
2022-20246.2
Partner with Kāi Tahu, and work with our community, Otago Regional Council and Central Government to create an integrated work programme to deliver climate, biodiversity and wider environmental outcomes throughout our district. The work programme will align with the Pledge to Nature, ANZBS, the Otago Biodiversity Strategy and consider:
- The Grow Well | Whaiora Spatial Plan Priority Initiative 15 (develop open space network plans).
- Balancing competing objectives around carbon sequestration, fire resilience and regeneration of indigenous terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.
- Strategic direction and/or recommendations from the 2020 Sequestration Study, Tree Policy, the Otago Ecosystems and Habitat Mapping, the Blue-Green Network and other relevant plans and strategies.
- Prioritising nature-based solutions in policy, planning design and decision-making (NERP13 Action 4.1).
- Eco-sourcing native plant species and increasing nursery capacity.
- Predator and pest control.
- Catchment rehabilitation initiatives.
- Protecting ecosystems and species of national or regional significance e.g. alpine tussock land, and wetlands and braided river bird species.
- Collaboration with conservation trusts to achieve landscape-scale outcomes.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024> Ongoing engagement with community groups, territorial and regional authorities and other conservation organisations to better understand the scope of biodiversity initiatives across the District.
> QLDC hosted the November Otago Biodiversity Forum with representatives attending from ORC, other territorial authorities, DOC and Aukaha.
2022-20256.3
Use the work programme to direct QLDC’s planting and plant and animal pest control programmes and to inform the biodiversity and sequestration actions for the next Climate and Biodiversity Plan.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024Current planting and animal and plant pest control information is entered into a GIS dashboard.
2022-2024We integrate native regeneration and carbon removal6.4
Conduct a review of how Council can adopt more environmentally friendly methods of controlling pest plants to minimise and/or eliminate the use of agrichemicals such as glyphosate. This will involve trialling and monitoring new technologies and methods such as wilding, meadowing, alternative agrichemicals and weed control methods.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024> Project scoping and literature review of best practices relevant to our District is currently underway.
> Work has begun investigating glyphosate alternatives and benefits of low mow. Collaboration and regular meetings scheduled in with the Parks team to keep this moving.
> Contractors are required to provide agrichemical use data to QLDC.
2022-20246.5
Integrate the protection, restoration and enhancement of blue-green networks and indigenous biodiversity corridors into stormwater management, infrastructure design and management of parks, reserves, and open spaces.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024> Boffa Miskell has completed a review of the existing Blue-Green Network and gap analysis for the district, prior to developing individual open space network plans.
> Land Development and Subdivision Code of Practice has been reviewed to include changes to stormwater management to improve environmental outcomes, and consultation on proposed changes completed.
2022-20256.6
We integrate native regeneration and carbon removal
2022-20256.6a
Regenerate Coronet Forest as an exemplar of native biodiversity and a recreational hub.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024> The Tree felling is now complete, the site will be formally handed back to QLDC from the Harvest contractor in Jan 2024.
> The Contract for the planting Contractor will be awarded in Jan/Feb 24.
> Coronet Forest Recreational working group who represent 11 stakeholder groups have reviewed the initial trail concept plan. A revised plan will be available for the group to review in Feb 24.
COMPLETE6.6b
Develop and implement plans to protect, restore and enhance other Council land that has high biodiversity potential, Including Mt Iron, Matakauri Wetland, Ben Lomond, and Queenstown Hill.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024> Mt Iron – developing RMP which will identify key areas for protection. Scoping Rabbit fencing opportunities and other pest management requirements. Wilding conifer control to be undertaken to protect kanuka stands.
> Matakauri Wetland - further planting, pest management and weed clearance has taken place to further enhance the wetland.
> Albert Town Lagoon – further weed control planned for summer.
> Pigeon Island - large scale weed work on both Pigeon and Pig Island (both boom spray and lancing) was completed. May undertake further weed work as required.
2022-2025We increase the impact of our local conservation organisations6.7
Support capability building for staff, volunteers, and board members within local conservation trusts through initiatives such as governance training, conservation standards workshops, conference funding and knowledge sharing.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024The Governance Mentoring programme has been delivered in partnership with Community Governance Aotearoa and Mentoring Foundation NZ. This was made available in 2022 and 2023 with uptake from people across a range of sectors. The 2023 cohort included mentees from Sustainable Queenstown, Generation Zero, WoolOn Creative Fashion Event, WAO, Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust, Food for Love Wānaka. Further details on this programme can be found here:
https://communitygovernance.org.nz/workshops/the-governance-mentoring-programme/
2022-20256.8
Create a live schedule of all biodiversity related community and QLDC projects underway in the district. Understand stage of development, barriers, opportunities and how QLDC can support. Develop clear criteria for assessment.
UPDATEUpdate
15 January 2024A list of district-wide climate, biodiversity and waste initiatives has been compiled and the best way to present this information is currently being investigated. See also actions 6.2 and 4.10.
2022-20236.9
Invest in a Council Biodiversity contestable fund to support innovative community and business projects that respond to biodiversity loss and restoration.
UPDATEUpdate
18 January 2024A review of the best model for providing funding support to local partner organisations in the climate action and biodiversity space is underway. The intent is to adopt a strategic partnership model rather than a contestable fund. This will involve collaboration with other funding agencies (e.g. Community trusts, ORC) to ensure that key funding decisions are strategically aligned to help build capacity and accelerate progress across the district.
2023-2025 -
More Outcomes
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1. Leadership
QLDC demonstrates ambitious climate leadership
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2. Transport
Our transport system is low-emission and better connected
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3. Built
Our built environment is low-emission and resilient
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4. Communities
Our communities are low-emission and climate resilient
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5. Business
Low-emission businesses thrive
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