Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has announced a contract for the harvest of Coronet Forest has been awarded to Mike Hurring Logging Ltd today, with work to begin Monday 2 December 2019.

Established over several years between 1984 and 1996, Coronet Forest consists of 172.5 ha of Douglas fir and is a significant seed source contributing to the wilding pine problem on neighbouring indigenous tussock grassland.

QLDC General Manager Community Services, Thunes Cloete was pleased to have a contract in place for the harvest, saying the work was an important step towards supporting ongoing wilding control works and safeguarding enduring landscapes in the district.

“From Monday, we’ll be working to eliminate the substantial impact Coronet Forest’s seeds have on the surrounding land, and following harvest we’ll see the return of a large area of our local landscape to native planting,” Dr Cloete said.

“As I’ve previously noted, QLDC acknowledges that the harvest is taking place five years before maturity of the oldest trees. However, this operation will allow us to protect our local natural environment for generations to come.”

Minor road upgrades will be required on Alan Reid Road, with an extension required through to Coronet Forest. The upgrade will be completed within the current road reserve and under road safety and traffic management protocols.

An Outline Plan for the harvest and revegetation programme was approved on 10 October 2018.

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