1215 days ago

Tree replacement requests granted in Kelvin Peninsula

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Otago News

Three requests to remove and replace several trees on recreation reserves in Kelvin Peninsula have been approved by Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Community and Services Committee.

Council parks manager Kenneth Bailey said any carbon removal lost by removed trees would be bettered by planting native and non-spreading exotic trees in the area.

The request to remove trees were made by Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, and Queenstown Golf Club.

“These organisations will be adhering to council’s new policy that for any tree removed on public land, two must replace it, and as these new trees start to flourish, Kelvin Peninsula will be transformed into a park-like space I’m certain future generations will cherish,” Bailey said.

The requests were:

- A request by Whakatipu Reforestation Trust to remove 100 trees near its Jean Malpas Nursery located in Jardine Park, to expand its educational garden and library of native plants nearby. Over 200 trees will be planted in this location to replace those removed.

- A request by Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group to remove 20 douglas fir trees from the southern side of the Jean Malpas Nursery, combating seed sources of the invasive pest threatening both the nursery and the Whakatipu Basin’s new Welcome Forest. The removed trees will be predominantly replaced with native species to improve the area’s biodiversity.

- A request by Queenstown Golf Club to remove about 290 ageing trees, mostly douglas firs, managing negative impacts on the course’s turf. The club's restoration plan includes planting two trees for every one removed, made up of both natives and non-wilding exotic trees.

No trees to be removed are ‘Protected Trees’ under the council's district plan, listed for potential protection in the proposed district plan, or ‘Notable Trees’ in the NZ Tree Register, the council said.

More messages from your neighbours
6 hours ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 41.6% Yes
    41.6% Complete
  • 31.8% Maybe?
    31.8% Complete
  • 26.6% No
    26.6% Complete
425 votes
5 hours ago

Police urge caution on Southland beaches

The Team from Southern District Police

As the weather warms up and Southlanders begin flocking to the beach, Police are reminding people of an important fact – beaches are roads and need to be treated as such.

Senior Sergeant Scott MacKenzie, Southland Area Road Policing Manager, says while it is legal to drive on Oreti Beach, you still need to adhere to the road rules.

“The beach has a speed limit of 30k/h – there is no excuse to be over this limit.
The days are getting warmer and with school holidays it can be expected that a lot of families with small children and animals will be heading to the beach to enjoy the sun."

“Anyone driving on the beach needs to be mindful of this, and stay focused on your surroundings,” he says.
The risks of injury or worse, to yourself or others, are just the same as on traditional roads.

Senior Sergeant MacKenzie also reminds beach goers that any form of antisocial road-user behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Some people seem to think that road rules don’t apply to you when on the beach – this is not the case.
Antisocial driving behaviour is unacceptable, on and off the beach, and we encourage the community to report the driving behaviour immediately."

“It is best to make a report while the incident is occurring to allow our staff the opportunity to respond immediately and hopefully disrupt any offenders in the act.
Please take note of as much detail as possible, such as registration number of the vehicle, any identifying features of the vehicle and its driver, or even take a video of the driving behaviour if safe to do so,” he says.

You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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