logo
Community Encouraged To Help Keep Eely Point Looking Sharp For Future Generations

Community Encouraged To Help Keep Eely Point Looking Sharp For Future Generations

Scoop19-05-2025

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is calling on the community to get involved in a draft Tree Succession Plan for Eely Point in Wānaka, to protect this popular local spot and create a resilient and diverse environment for future generations to enjoy.
QLDC Parks Manager, Dave Winterburn said the draft plan for Eely Point takes a long-term view over 60 years to manage ageing and invasive wilding pines in the reserve and self-seeded willows and poplars growing in the shallows of the lake nearby, and how native and suitable exotic trees would be added in the area.
'Approximately 25% of the reserve is made up of wilding conifers, and as these trees grow older and near the end of their lives, we need to ensure we're protecting Eely Point and taking the appropriate steps to create a more sustainable and resilient public space,' said Mr Winterburn.
'Our intended approach looks at slowly removing these invasive trees in stages across multiple zones, to ensure new trees and plants introduced in the area have time to adapt to the windy environment.'
Much like in Te Kararo Queenstown Gardens, wilding conifers within Eely Point play a crucial role in acting as a windbreak and help to shield this public space from wild weather, but their invasive nature and advancing age pose a range of environmental threats.
The dense canopy of these trees blocks sunlight and reduces native flora and fauna, they drop needle litter that results in poor soil health, and their location on a peninsula next to Lake Wānaka creates a significant seed spread risk for surrounding areas.
Pioneer species like grasses, ferns, and mānuka are proposed to be used to restore soil structure and support the growth of future planting, followed by native trees like kānuka, kōwhai, beech, and southern rātā to provide additional wind shelter as quickly as possible while creating new wildlife habitat.
Carefully selected exotic species that are tall, fast-growing, and non-invasive would also be planted to further protect the wider area from wind, creating a new functional but less intrusive shelter.
Mr Winterburn acknowledged that Eely Point's current look and feel was loved by many in the community and potential changes may lead to some apprehension, but emphasised the area needed a plan to manage wilding conifers before the end of their lives.
'Eely Point as a significant space enjoyed by locals and visitors all throughout the year, but its value to our community is best seen in summer as many use the reserve to play disc golf, enjoy a BBQ with friends, and lounge about by the water's edge with the family,' said Mr Winterburn.
'Given Eely Point's importance to Wānaka and the wider Upper Clutha, QLDC is encouraging regular users of this reserve, nearby residents, and visitors to check out the draft plan, come chat with staff at one of our drop-in sessions, and share feedback to protect the area for future generations.'
The draft Eely Point Tree Succession Plan, a range of supporting material and a feedback form are available online at https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/, and in QLDC's office and library in Wānaka.
QLDC's Parks team is hosting two community-drop in sessions at Eely Point up by the Coastguard building, from 10.00am to 12.00pm on Saturday 24 May, and 4.00pm to 6.00pm on Tuesday 27 May.
Feedback on the draft Eely Point Tree Succession Plan closes on Sunday 8 June.
Once feedback has been gathered and reviewed, the Plan is expected to be presented to Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board for adoption in July 2025.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group
Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group

Scoop

time12 hours ago

  • Scoop

Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group

Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council Climate Reference Group Chair Dr Leslie Van Gelder says the Group is welcoming expressions of interest from candidates across a wide range of experience and backgrounds. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is seeking passionate experts to join the Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group to help shape the future of climate and biodiversity action in the district. The independent group plays a vital role in guiding the climate and biodiversity efforts of Council and was instrumental in developing the district's draft Climate & Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028 which is currently open for community feedback until 27 June. Climate Reference Group Chair Dr Leslie Van Gelder says the Group is welcoming expressions of interest from candidates across a wide range of experience and backgrounds. 'We're looking for people with inspirational and recognised voices, specialist areas of expertise, broad local or national networks, and strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.' 'We also welcome candidates with experience working in collaborative and action-orientated organisations, and applicants from all relevant fields. Particularly, we encourage those with expertise in energy, green finance, and biodiversity to apply,' she says. QLDC declared a climate and ecological emergency on 27 June 2019, which prompted the establishment of the Climate Reference Group in 2020. The Group's purpose is to provide expert advice to evolve and guide QLDC's response to the climate and ecological crises. While local residency in the Queenstown Lakes District is desirable, it is not a requirement to become a member. The Group operates on a three-year cycle that aligns with the development of each new Climate and Biodiversity Plan. Expressions of interest to join the Climate Reference Group are open until 31 July 2025 for three vacant positions. Further information about the role, including the person specification and terms of reference, is available at

Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group
Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group

Scoop

time17 hours ago

  • Scoop

Opportunity For Experts To Join Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is seeking passionate experts to join the Queenstown Lakes' Climate Reference Group to help shape the future of climate and biodiversity action in the district. The independent group plays a vital role in guiding the climate and biodiversity efforts of Council and was instrumental in developing the district's draft Climate & Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028 which is currently open for community feedback until 27 June. Climate Reference Group Chair Dr Leslie Van Gelder says the Group is welcoming expressions of interest from candidates across a wide range of experience and backgrounds. 'We're looking for people with inspirational and recognised voices, specialist areas of expertise, broad local or national networks, and strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.' 'We also welcome candidates with experience working in collaborative and action-orientated organisations, and applicants from all relevant fields. Particularly, we encourage those with expertise in energy, green finance, and biodiversity to apply,' she says. QLDC declared a climate and ecological emergency on 27 June 2019, which prompted the establishment of the Climate Reference Group in 2020. The Group's purpose is to provide expert advice to evolve and guide QLDC's response to the climate and ecological crises. While local residency in the Queenstown Lakes District is desirable, it is not a requirement to become a member. The Group operates on a three-year cycle that aligns with the development of each new Climate and Biodiversity Plan. Expressions of interest to join the Climate Reference Group are open until 31 July 2025 for three vacant positions. Further information about the role, including the person specification and terms of reference, is available at

QLDC seek feedback on waste management plan
QLDC seek feedback on waste management plan

Otago Daily Times

time2 days ago

  • Otago Daily Times

QLDC seek feedback on waste management plan

PHOTO: ODT FILES Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) released its draft Waste Management Minimisation Plan last week and is welcoming community engagement. After being adopted for consultation by the QLDC on Tuesday, the draft plan outlines an ambitious vision to move towards zero waste and a circular economy. The plan is updated every six years under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and outlines how the district will manage and reduce waste. The current draft focuses on an approach that uses the right tools, services and facilities to work on changing behaviours and better managing waste and used materials. Communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the public consultation which will close on June 30. "This WMMP is a draft, and we invite everyone to provide feedback on whether you think these are the right actions to take together," QLDC strategy planning manager Sophie Mander said. "This is a crucial opportunity for the community to help us define the next chapter." Since the 2018 plan was adopted, progress has included a new three-bin kerbside collection service, boosted public education, introduced both the community composting hubs and the annual Waste Minimisation Community Fund and furthered a commitment to a future kerbside organics collection. Partnerships with local organisations including Wastebusters, Sustainable Queenstown and Wao have also been key to helping reduce waste. As part of developing the draft, the QLDC hosted stakeholder workshops and a public webinar in September 2024 which helped shape the priorities and actions outlined in the plan. "We've worked with key groups in our community to shape a new direction for how we respond to the waste challenges in our district," QLDC infrastructure committee chairman Gavin Bartlett said. "Council has an important part to play in leading this work, but minimising our waste will require our community to work together, collaborating on opportunities and making change happen." Although legislation requires the council to write the WMMP, the plan will only be successful if members of the community work together to make it happen. Community members can explore the plan and contribute further via an online engagement platform. Public engagement opportunities will also be held over June. — APL

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store