Wyuna tenure review improves access to spectacular alpine area
5 August 2005
Wyuna Station, which lies in one of the South Island's adventure tourism hot spots, has passed through to the penultimate stage of the Tenure Review process managed by Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). Situated about 3 km from Glenorchy at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, the 12,297 hectare station is part of an important historic, conservation and recreation area.
Under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998, Tenure Review frees up land for economic development, while delivering increased public access and public conservation land. The leaseholder's acceptance of LINZ's final proposal will eventually add more than 9000 hectares to public conservation lands while more than 2500 hectares will become freehold says LINZ's Manager, Crown Property, Paul Jackson.
"Tenure Review delivers results for leaseholders and the public. Once the review is implemented, leaseholder farmers who have never owned their land freehold get freehold title to part of it. This allows them to develop their economic interests in the land, and improve productivity without the restraints of a pastoral lease."
The Wyuna property extends from the shores of Lake Wakatipu, to straddle the Richardson Mountains. The spectacular and fragile high alpine landscape, which includes Mt Larkins, is home to Rock Wren, a threatened alpine bird species , and lower down there are remnants of mountain beech forest. Other notable species are New Zealand falcon and kea. The most remote area is contained in the very steep and dissected Stony Creek catchment adjacent to Mount Aurum Recreation Reserve.
The conservation area created in the review includes historic scheelite mine workings in the Mt Judah/Mt McIntosh areas. The mines and associated equipment are now protected.
"The scheelite workings are of national historic importance, being the only ones of their kind in New Zealand remaining for people to appreciate," says Jeff Connell, Otago Conservator for the Department of Conservation. Scheelite is a mineral used for hardening steel gun barrels. The Judah/McIntosh mines, perched on the mountainsides 1000 metres above sea level, were most active at the time of the two world wars last century. Scheelite is still sometimes worked today on a small scale by a group of Glenorchy enthusiasts, and this can continue.
"The conservation area includes extensions to the lagoon wetland on the outskirts of Glenorchy and reaches peaks more than 2000 metres above sea level," Mr Connell explains. "It will cater for a range of recreational pursuits including horse trekking, tramping, day walking, hunting, climbing, heliskiing, mountain biking, and naturalist trips.
"Parts of the conservation area are subject to short term grazing concessions and concessions for heliskiing and guided horse trekking and walking. Public access will be available using new marginal strips, easements and part of the old Mt Judah road, although this will not be for 4-wheel-drive vehicles."
Recreation reserves are retained on the lakeward side of the Glenorchy-Queenstown road to allow for growth in the reserve needs of the district.
Higher altitude lake faces are protected by a landscape protection covenant and the Downs Lagoon has a wildlife protection covenant. Also, a covenant has been placed over a site of cultural importance to Ngai Tahu.
Public access to the conservation area will not be immediate. Surveying and fencing of public conservation land must be completed, some public access formed and Department of Conservation (DoC) signs put in place before any public use can begin. Given the harsh winter conditions in the area, this process can take up to 18 months.
Under Tenure Review, 21 properties have now finished the process under the Crown Pastoral Land Act 1998: Glenlapa; Stonehurst; Cairnhill; The Knobbies; Dome Hills I and II; Peak Hill; Dalrachney; Rhoboro Downs; Double Hill; Ben Avon; Alphaburn; Glen Nevis; Mt Pisa I and II; Quailburn; Clayton; Ben Ohau; Eastburn; Waitiri and Raglan Run.
Leaseholders of a further 18 properties have accepted final proposals for their leasehold land at Otamatapaio, Merrivale, Geordie Hills, Long Acre, Nine Mile, Shirlmar, Timburn, West Wanaka, Glen Dhu, Mataura Valley, Glenariffe, Glenfoyle, Silverbirch, Omahau Downs, Longslip, Dingleburn, Wyuna and the Woodbank Special Lease.
For further information please contact:
Paul Jackson
Manager, Crown Property
Land Information New Zealand
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: 04 460 0158
FAX: 04 460 0590
EMAIL: pjackson@linz.govt.nz
LINZ media liaison:
Michael Mead
Senior Communications Advisor
Land Information New Zealand
Private Box 5501
WELLINGTON
PH: 04 498 3516
FAX: 04 472 1864
CELL: 027 444 3901
EMAIL: mmead@linz.govt.nz
Department of Conservation media liaison:
Jeff Connell
Conservator Department of Conservation
PH: 03 474 6927
CELL: 027 277 1593
EMAIL: jconnell@doc.govt.nz
Federated Farmers media liaison
Bob Douglas
Industry Manager South Island High Country Committee
Farming House
PO Box 665
Timaru
PH: 0800 327-646
FAX: 03 688-4096
HM TEL/FAX: 03 686-4762
MOBILE: 021 622 822
Email: southcanterbury.ff@fedfarm.org.nz
