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Tourism chief’s flying visit Tourism New Zealand CEO Kevin Bowler and three of his executive team took time out to go heli-biking in the hills above Wanaka yesterday. Kevin, TNZ marketing manager Rob Bowring, Bay of Plenty tourism manager Rhys Arrowsmith and
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TNZ Australian manager Tim Burgess were accompanied by local Freeride heli-bike guides Charlie Cochrane and Patrick Macateer and piloted by Alpine Helicopters’ Nick Wallis. The group was flown to the top of Mount Burke Station for an
PHOTO: wanaka.tv
New rules for farm burn-offs Tim Brewster
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adrenalin pumping descent down exposed farm tracks. The excursion also included a flying visit to the Wallis property of Minaret Station where they enjoyed crayfish and other local delicacies and inspected the luxury tented lodge.
New regulations mean high country farmers in the Wanaka area may be required to pay for helicopters on standby with monsoon buckets and will require assessments from DOC six weeks prior to burn-offs. “We are seeking all the costs of suppressing the fires from the respective landowners and we have agreed on a mitigation package at the landowners expense where relevant,” DOC Otago Conservator, Marian van der Goes said in a press release from the department this week. Last year, four fires got out of control and escaped into conservation areas leading to the more stringent restrictions and procedures. “It will take at least 20 years of plant succession before some of these recently burnt areas will return to their pre-fire state. That’s why they need additional protection, and
It will take at least 20 years of plant succession before some of these recently burnt areas will return to their pre-fire state.
PHOTO: doc
in the long term the best way to do this is by working with landowners,” DOC area manager Paul Hellebrekers said. The practice of burning areas of bracken on farmland has faced increasing criticism over the past few years. In one case last September a burn-off on Glendene Station got out of control after being fanned by an unexpected wind shift and destroyed 30ha of native vegetation on reserve land in the Matatiaho Conservation area. Wanaka farmers who use fire as a management tool have formed the Upper Clutha Vegetation Control Group with the aim of ensuring best practice for burning and to look at alternative methods of control. “These changes to the permit process will complement the objectives of the group to minimise burning and make it safer,” chairman of the group,
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Allen Kane said. The new regulations introduced this year state: “All permit applications have to be lodged six weeks before any burn-off; all proposed areas will be inspected by DOC, and a DOC officer will attend and monitor burns that are considered a high risk to public conservation lands. In addition a helicopter must be on hand when the fire is lit and in many cases a second helicopter will be required to light the fire.” “It’s a very constructive way forward,” Paul said. He will represent DOC on the farmer led control group. “I’m really pleased that the farmers have done this on their own accord, making it a positive outcome from what has been a very difficult time.”