This page last modified 16 November 2001
Po 159
Northern Rock and Pillar Range
Otago Land District
Tenure review approved by Commissioner of Crown Lands June 1996
DRAFT PROPOSAL
TO COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS
Application for Exchange of Property Rights
LCP Ref: Po 159 OCL Ref: Case No:
Date 10 April 1995
PROPOSAL:
1. To surrender Po 159 on the lease anniversary date following completion of survey plans and necessary documentation.
2. To agree to the allocation of 350 hectares (approximately) as conservation estate.
3. To classify 618 hectares (approximately) as farmland and dispose of this on freehold title.
4. To recognize that DOC has negotiated conservation covenants over two areas within the proposed freehold. (a) An area of remnant forest (approximately 77 hectares) and (b) Approximately 227 hectares of mid altitude tussock country.
5. To provide public foot access to the proposed conservation estate and mid altitude covenant area via the southern boundary of the property (traversing existing freehold).
6. To provide a Right of Way up the Central farm track for the Department of Conservation to access the proposed conservation estate and the larger of the two covenant areas.
LEASE:
Legal Description: Run 712 Blocks V, VI, IX and X Rock and Pillar Survey District.
Run Name: Rockvale
Area: 968.2447 hectares
Lease Details:
Tenure: Pastoral Lease
Term: 33 years
Expiry: 1st July 2022
Rent Review: 1st July 2000
Rental Value: $33,000
Annual Rent: $495
Crown Improvements: Nil
Stock Limitation in Lease: 1200 sheep (including not more than 900 breeding ewes).
Personal Stock Limitation: Block limits are as follows (i) Top Block - 1100 breeding ewes for six weeks from mid January. No cattle. North Face - 1000 ewe hoggets for 14 weeks from mid January - 400 breeding ewes from mid March for 6 weeks. South Face - 500 breeding ewes on an annual basis. 60 cattle (including no more than 50 breeding cows). Overall 5000 sheep (including no more than 4000 breeding ewes) 160 cattle (including no more than 60 breeding cows).
LESSEE: Patrick Gerald Kinney
LOCATION: The homestead is situated on SH 87, 4km from Hyde. The lease is situated on the eastern flanks of the Rock and Pillar Range. It boarders Emerald Hills to the north, The Beeches to the west, Taieri Lake to the south and freehold land to the east.
OTHER LAND HELD: 514 hectares freehold and DPF
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
a. Aspect: Predominantly east to north east.
b. Altitude: 250m-1250m.
c. Contour: 65%
d. Area Ploughable: Nil
e. Rainfall: 400mm (flats) to 1500mm (tops)
f. How Watered: Adequate natural water
g. Subdivision: Three blocks
h. Snow Risk: The lease is snow prone down to approximately 1060 metres asl
i. Summer/Winter Balance: The lease is predominantly summer country
j. Shelter: Contour only (adequate)
k. Reversion: Matagouri
1. Erosion: Little active erosion. Tops prone to wind erosion if inappropriately managed.
m. Weeds & Pests: Feral pigs a problem on mid altitude country.
n. Soils:
Arrow Steepland Soils: Yellow Grey Earths. 50-lSOmm of
mostly stony loams to sand loams. Parent material is schist and
colluvium. Medium to high natural fertility. Approximately 340
hectares.
Dunstan Steepland Soils: Upland and Highcountry Yellow Brown Earths. 1500-300mm of silt loams to stony loams. Parent material is schist and loess deprived from schist. Low to very low natural fertility. Approximately 195 hectares.
Teviot Soils: Upland and Highcountry Yellow Brown Earths. 120mm-250mm of silt loam to stony loam. Parent material of schist and loess deprived from schist. Low natural fertility. Approximately 436 hectares.
o. Land Use Capability:
| CLASS | AREA (ha) | % |
| VIe | 370 | 37 |
| VIIc | 400 | 42 |
| VIIe | 200 | 21 |
| Total: | 970 | 100 |
p. Cover (Estimate)
Sown Pasture: 29 hectares
Oversown & topdressed grassland: 343 hectares
Unimproved native grassland: 609 hectares
CONSERVATION VALUES:
1. ECOLOGICAL FEATURES:
Priority Area 1: Rockvale Tops (1050-1200 m) (Map A)
This area includes the whole top block of Rockvale Station. This block extends from the snowline fence to the narrow upper boundary on the plateau top at 1200 m. The area encompasses parts of the headwaters of the Pig Burn (Te Katata a te honikino) which flows north-west, and Fairleigh Stream and Scrub Burn which flow east.
In terms of botanical composition, the block is dominated by two vegetation communities. The bottom half is covered by snowgrass (Chionochloa rigida), interspersed with shrubs (predominantly Cassinia fulvida and Dracophyllum uniflorum). This vegetation association also encompasses a reasonable diversity of native herbs and grasses. The giant speargrass Aciphylla scotthomsoni is common on stream edges.
The flora of the top half of the block is dominated by blue tussock (Poa colensoi), along with cushion plants (including Kelleria childii, Dracophyllum muscordes, and Phyllacne colesoi), herbs (including Aciphylla hectori, Kellteria villosa Ibarbata and Anisotome flexuosa) and subshrubs (including Leonohebe odora var. prostrata). Small areas of gently sloping moss bogs (dominated by Shapgnum spp) are scattered throughout this zone and differentiate the area botanically from the soutnern end of the Rock and Pillars. A diverse range of sedges is present within the moss cover in these areas. Drier cushion fields are located at the head of these wetlands.
Invertebrate values in the area are high. Of particular interest is the presence of a wide range of diurnal grasshoppers and moths, the high-alpine moth Notoreas ortholeuca and the presence of a late autumn-emerging fauna.
Skinks are common in the Poa dominated vegetation around the 1200 m contour. The large weta, Hemideina maori has been found under rocks.
Priority Area 2: Scrub Burn (450-720 m)
This area is comprised of a gorge containing a regenerating forest dominated by broadleaf, narrow leaved lacebark and marbleleaf. The gorge is very precipitous with steep sides and large boulders in the stream bed. A wide variety of plants, including ferns, sedges and Astelia grow alongside the creek, together with shrubs such as korimiko and fuchsia The forest is diverse, and appears viable, judging by the large number of canopy and understorey species seedlings present.
An important feature of this forest area is the presence of some uncommon species, including Fuchsia excorticata and Melicope simplex.
Their is little apparent damage to this area from either domestic or wild animals. Fencing of the area does not appear necessary for the protection of its botanical values. Natural boundaries are considered adequate to exclude stock. The terrain also serves to protect the vegetation from fire on surrounding land.
2. VISUAL AND SCENIC VALUES:
As adopted for other assessments of the high country, this property has been divided into a number of landscape units. The boundaries for each of these units were drawn to coincide with changes in the local topography and with distinguishable changes in the ground cover and land use patterns.
Landscapes have been placed into three broad categories:
1 Natural landscapes: Natural ecosystems, containing unspoilt and distinctive geological/physiographic features.
2 Managed natural landscapes: Predominantly natural ecosystem where some modifications have occurred to the native vegetation, usually through the impact of extensive sheep grazing.
3 Cultural landscapes: Land influenced by human uses. This includes historic and intrinsic values.
Landscape Unit 1
On Rockvale this landscape unit coincides with the top block. The block is part of a larger plateau. The vegetative cover is comprised of a sward of blue tussock with scattered patches of snow tussock, predominantly located around the fringes of the plateau. A distinctive feature of this landscape unit is a series of cushion bogs, wet flushes and summit tarns. This area forms the water-shed for both the eastern and western flanks of the Rock and Pillar Range.
This landscape unit has moderately high landscape values. The high degree of naturalness is an important feature, with the only obvious human elements being a discretely located access track, the original boundary fence, an old water race and stone Cairns marking survey trigs. The bogs, small streams and tarns show no signs of modification through stock pressure. The lessees have confirmed that this area has received virtually no grazing over recent years.
This landscape unit conveys a feeIing of remoteness and falls within the natural landscape category, future tenure and management should orientated towards conservation.
Landscape Unit 2
This landscape unit comprises the belt of tall snow tussock on the steep slopes just below the eastern crest of the tops. The tussock cover is in very good condition. Because of its density and stature, very few inter-tussock species are present. The area conveys a general impression of uniformity, which helps merge the whole of the eastern flank of the Rock and Pillars into one large landscape unit.
Discussions with runholders from the area have frequently revealed their conviction that they must retain the right to carry out controlled buming on the eastern faces of the range. In general, runholders in the area believe burning is essential, if the tussock country is to be used for pastoralism. It is argued that if tussock is not periodically burnt, a build-up of fuel' will lead to unplanned and uncontrollable fires. Should such fires occur over the dry months of summer, whole properties would be threatened, and soils and vegetation would suffer serious damage.
This landscape unit acts as a transition between landscapes 1 and 3. The Department of Conservation believes that it should be managed predominantly for its natural landscape values. The department believes that should burning continue as a management tool, a monitoring programme should be implemented to assess changes in vegetative cover.
Landscape Unit 3
This landscape unit comprises the tussock grasslands which are present in the 240m to 1000m zone. Considerable modifications have occurred through past grazing and associated burning However as with landscape unit 2, the overall impression of this mid-aItitudinal belt from a distance, is that it is still clothed in a continuous native grass cover (tawny colour, fine texture). This zone is highly vulnerable to further changes in land use, particularly to the conversion of native tussock grassland into an exotic sward. Further tracking and subdivision fencing would have a major visual impact, as would afforestation. Such changes would be highly visible from State Highway 87 and other parts of Strath Taieri.
This area falls within the managed natural landscape category. Regardless of tenure, DOC will seek to have some influence on land use in this zone,, possibly through its advocacy role to the Otago Regional Council, through the Resource Management Act.
Landscape Unit 4
This landscape unit comprises a series of precipitous gullies which dissect the lower flanks of the range. The steep nature of these gullies has acted as a natural barrier to fire and grazing animals. In many situations woody species are now spreading up these gullies, probably as response to less frequent burning. The stream beds at the base of these gullies fan out over the more fertile valley floor, and are commonly covered with matagouri, native broom and Coprosma. This landscape unit would fall within the natural landscape category. These gullies are important for soil and water conservation, fire control, and have limited production value. Formal protection is proposed for the Scrub Burn which is the largest gully.
HISTORY/ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES
There are no recorded moa hunter or classic Maori sites on Rockvale Station.
The northern end of the Rock and Pillars have not been surveyed for the presence of Maori sites. There may be rock shelters and caches in clefts which have not been documented. It is known that parties of Maoris visited the Strath Taieri as part of their seasonal gathering of mahinga kai.
Pastoral occupation of the property dates back to 1859, when Rockvale was part of the large Taieri Lake Station. The property was known formerly as Rahiri, although its original name was Rockvale. With a recent change in ownership the property name has reverted to Rockvale.
Evidence of gold mining activity is limited to a section of a high altitude water race which took water from the Sowburn to an area of diggings at Hyde. The 2 metre by 51) centimetre race was built in 1865 at a cost of £2000.
A feature which dates back to the early surveys of Otago is a carefully constructed stone based trig with a metal spike set in the centre, known as a bayonet trig. The plinth is a wide circle of dry stone walling filled in with soil and rocks. The spike is beaten flat at the top with the trig letter engraved upon it. This is one of the three major types of trig station used in the early days of triangulation. Trig J at GR 875388 on Rockvale is one of four such trigs on the Rock and Pillar Range built prior to 1882.
Both the section of the Sowburn water race and bayonet trig J are protected by the Historic Places Act, as archaeological sites.
RECREATION:
The Rock and Pillar Range is the "home ground" for club skiing in Otago. Recorded winter usage goes back to 1932 with the formation of the Otago Ski Club. The range was initially used for downhill skiing; the development of Coronet Peak ski field in the 1950s and 1960S with its better weather, access, terrain and facilities saw the eventual demise of this activity.
In recent years cross-country skiing has become well established. Huts located on Glencreag, serve as a base for overnight ski trips. The proximity of the range to Dunedin is a major factor in its relative importance for winter activities. It is only 80 hen by sealed highway to the base of the range.
The frequency of "arctic" weather conditions, especially in winter, on the summit, and the lack of natural shelter dictates that experience in alpine navigation and a knowledge of survival techniques are pre-requisites for winter recreation.
Summer recreation use is developing with regular tramping trips to the range occurring by Dunedin based clubs. Some 4WD recreational use also occurs, involving traverses of the range from the Dunstan Track.
Recreation groups have identified the need for several unrestricted access routes up the eastern flanks of the Rock and Pillar Range. These are required to provide for round trips of a day or several days duration, and to be used as escape routes in bad weather. One such proposed route is located up the southern boundary of the property. There is currently no legal access on Rockvale. The Central Otago Rail Corridor dissects freehold land between State Highway 87 and the base of the pastoral lease. This land is run in conjunction with the lease.
DETAILED PROPOSAL
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:
The priority area for nature conservation on this pastoral lease is the top block. This area represents a continuation of the diverse alpine ecosystem which runs along the summit of the Rock and Pillar Range. The key feature of this area is the extensive and distinctive array of wetlands which differ markedly from the wetlands located at the southern end of the range.
The top hlock has received little grazing pressure in recent years. For this reason its incorporation into the DOC estate is seen as being particularly important. The adoption of the snowline fence (lower houndary of the top block), is the most practical line to separate conservation estate from freehold land. The possibility of lowering the boundary to separate landscape units was investigated; however the logistics of building and maintaining a fence through a series of steep gullies render this option impractical. The proposed covenant between a recently established fire break at its lower boundary and the conservation estate at its upper boundary will serve to protect the snow tussock cover in this zone.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
An "early warning" meeting was held with principal interest groups on 21 July 1993. The property has been visited by My Howse representing the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board. He will comment when requested by the Commissioner of Crown Lands.
NGOs have flagged the need for unrestricted public foot access along the existing 4WD farm access track near the southern boundary of the lease. (There is no legal access either to or through the pastoral lease, except for the unformed legal road from State Highway 87, across freehold land to the northern boundary of the lease near the Scrub Burn).
DISCUSSION:
This proposal represents a rationalization of land tenure, with clear benefits to the current lessees, DOC and to the general public.
Lands with high conservation values (including public recreation), high degree of recreational use and low productive potential will become part of the conservation estate.
Productive lower altitude lands wilI be freeholded. Freehold tenure may serve to encourage the development of a more intensive farming system on versatile lands within the lower portion of the lease.
Legal public foot access to the conservation estate will be
assured via a surveyed easement
DESCRIPTION OF AREA TO BE FREEHOLDED:
a. Area: 618 ha (estimate)
b. Aspect: Predominantly east to north east
c. Altitude: 250-1100m
d. Contour: Predominantly moderately steep - steep
e. Area Ploughable: Nil
f. Rainfall: 400mm (flats) to approximately 1000m (upper boundary)
g. Water Supply: Adequate natural water
h. Shelter: Contour only
i. Reversion Matagouri has spread in response to OSDT
j. Erosion Minimal
k. Weeds & Pests Feral pigs a problem on mid altitude country
1. Soils
Dunstan Soils - 179 hectares
Arrow Steepland Soils - 439 hectares
m. Land Use Capability
| CLASS | AREA HA | % |
| VI | 396 | 64 |
| VII* | 222 | 36 |
| Total: | 100 |
* Predominantly 7elO which is suited to extensive grazing and AOSTD
n. Cover
Sown Pasture: 29 hectares
Oversown and topdressed grassland: 343 hectares
Unimproved native grassland: 246 hectares
o. Likely Stock Numbers: Stock numbers will be unchanged as area to be retired has had little grazing in recent years. Subject to major fence repairs the proposed DOC reserve is capable of running in excess of 100 stock units on an annual basis.
p. General: This change in tenure will have little effect on the current farming operation.
RECOMMENDATION:
That you approve the proposal being advertised, with the following outcomes being recommended.
1. The surrender of Po 159 under Section 145 of the Land Act 1948.
2. The allocation of 350 hectares (approximately) to the Department of Conservation as Conservation Estate.
3. That approximately 618 hectares be classified as "farmland" and be preferentially disposed of to the current lessees of Rockvale Station under Section 51 of the Land Act 1948.
4. That it is recognized that the Department of Conservation has negotiated the protection of approximately 304 hectares within the proposed freehold under two covenants to be issued under Section 77 of the Reserves Act (1977).
5. That you acknowledge a public access route is to be established under section 7(2) of the Conservation Act (1990), to cater for walking access up the southern boundary of the property to the proposed mid altitude covenant area and the proposed conservation estate.
6. That you acknowledge that the Department of Conservation will have a "Right of Way" up an existing farm track to the proposed Conservation Estate and to the larger of the two covenant areas.
Signed for Landcorp Property Ltd
R Wardle, Consultant & Kenneth R Taylor, Manager
13/4/95
Endorsed by:
Tony Perrett Manager PNA/Pastoral
for Regional Conservator
DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Attached are:
1. Map of Proposal
2. Map of Landscape Units
3. Photographs
ROCKVALE PASTORAL LEASE
DOC CONSERVATION RESOURCES REPORT
BACKGROUND
There are currently six pastoral leases on the Rock and Pillar Range (Patearoa) which are being investigated by Landcorp and DOC for a change of tenure. This report describes the conservation resources identified on Rockvale (formerly known as Rahiri) and outlines the basis for discussion between the Crown agencies and the lessee on tenure change.
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
Priority Area 1: Rockvale Tops (1050-1200 m) (Map A)
This area includes the whole top block of Rockvale Station from the snowline fence at approximately 1050 m to the narrow boundary on the plateau top at 1200 m. The block encompasses parts of the headwaters of the Pig Burn (Te Katata a te honikino) flowing north-west, and Fairleigh Stream and Scrub Burn flowing east.
Two vegetation communities dominate this block. The bottom half is snowgrass Chionochloa rigida interspersed with shrubs of Cassinia fulvida and Dracophyllum uniflorum. Reasonable diversity of native herbs and other grasses is present also with the giant speargrass Aciphylla scotthomsoni occurring on stream edges. The top half is mostly blue tussock (Poa colensoi) with cushion plants (Kelleria childii, Dracophyllum muscoides, Phyllacne colensol, etc), herbs (Aciphylla hectori, Kelleria villosa barbata, Anisotome flexuosa, etc), sub-shrubs (Leonohebe odora var. prostrata) and moss bogs (Sphagnum spp., etc) found in small discrete areas. The numerous moss bog wetlands are a special feature having quite a different character from those further south on the range. They are more gendy sloped and have a high diversity of sedges growing through the various mosses and with drier cushionfield at the head of the wetlands.
Invertebrate values are high also with diurnal grasshoppers and moths sampled. Tne high-alpine moth Notoreas ortholeuca is present together with a late autumn-emerging fauna.
Skinks were active in the Poa dominated vegetation at 1200 m while under rocks the large weta, Hemideina maori was found.
Priority Area 2: Scrub Burn (450-720m)
This major gully contains a regenerating forest dominated by broadleaf, narrow leaved lacebark and marbleleaf. The gorge is very precipitous with steep sides and large boulders in the actual stream bed. A good variety of ferns, sedges and Astelia grow alongside the creek, together with shrubs such as korimiko and fuchsia. The forest is diverse and viable judging by the large number of canopy and understorey species present and prolific seedlings.
A feature of this forest area is the presence of uncommon species such as Fuchsia excorticata and Melicope simplex.
No damage of any consequence is evident from either domestic or wild animals and there is no need for any fencing. Natural boundaries are considered adequate to exclude stock and the vegetation is effectively a fire refuge.
LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT (Map B)
As adopted for other assessments of the high country, the pastoral lease has been divided into a number of landscape units. The boundaries for each of these units follow marked changed in the local topography, as well as distinguishable changes in the ground cover and }and use patterns.
Besides describing the physical attributes and important landscape values, each unit has been placed into three broad categories:
1. Natural landscapes: natural ecosystems, containing unspoilt and distinctive geologicall/physiographic features.
2. Managed natural landscapes: still a predominantly natural ecosystem, but where some modifications have occurred to the native vegetation through mainly extensive sheep grazing.
3. Cultural landscapes: land influenced by human uses. This includes historic and intrinsic values.
Depending upon which category the landscape unit falls within, a suggestion has been made on the orientation on future management of that particular unit.
Landscape Unit 1
This landscape unit comprises the top block of Rockvale. This plateau is covered in a good sward of blue tussock with some patches of snow tussock located around the fringes of the plateau. Distinctive features of this landscape unit are the cushion bogs, wet flushes and summit tarns, the water-shed of which flows in both an easterly and westerly direction. This landscape unit has moderately high landscape values, in particular the high degree of naturalness with the only obvious human elements being the low-key access track, original boundary fence, an old water race and the stone trig cairns. The bogs, small streams and tarns show no signs of modification through stock pressure and from discussions with the runholders, this rangeland has received virtually no grazing over the last several years. In fact, on this part of Rockvale, the grazing has been nearly nil.
This landscape unit conveys the feeling of remoteness and a perception of being within a wilderness area and would fall within the natural landscape category with future tenure and management orientated towards conservation.
Landscape Unit 2
This landscape unit comprises the belt of tall snow tussock on the steep slopes just below the eastern crest of the tops. This tussock cover is in very good condition, and due to its density and stature very few inter-tussock species are present. It conveys a general impression of uniformity which helps to merge the whole of the eastern flank of the Rock and Pillars into one large landscape type.
From discussions held with runholders a major concern expressed quite frequently was the need to retain the right to carry out controlled burns on these eastern faces as a farming management tool. When asked what changes might have happened to the condition and density of the tussock cover over the long period of burn-offs, there would seen to be no factual records known,, eg, early photos. Perhaps periodic conservative burning could be allowed to continue with monitoring put in place to assess the physical changes occurring to the ground cover. The bottom line is the long-term sustainability of the tussocks.
The runholders' main concern is that if the tussock is not burned, the build-up of fuel will act as the wick for uncontrollable fires to occur, especially during the summer, which would be disastrous for stock safety. The runholders' concern will have to be thoroughly considered before negotiations commence.
This landscape unit acts as a transition between landscapes 1 and 3 with the more modified lower country, but still should be managed predominantly as a natural landscape.
Landscape Unit 3
This landscape unit comprises the tussock grasslands which fall within the altitudinal range from about 3300 to about 800 feet. The degree of naturalness of this landscape unit is influenced greatly by grazing pressure and past burn-offs, but, similar to landscape unit 2, the overall impression of this mid-altitudinal land is that it still conveys an appearance of continuous native grass cover (tawny colour, fine texture). This unit is highly vulnerable to further changes in land use, particularly the conversion of native grasses into exotic grasses as well as other modifications such as further access tracking, subdivisional fencing, and possible afforestation. All these changes would be highly visible from State Highway 87 and other parts of Strath Taieri. This landscape unit would fall within the managed natural landscape category with controls placed over controls placed over the protection of the distinctive landscape character possibly through the Otago Regional Council's high country policy, the Resource Management Act, and through DOC's advocacy role in the protection of special landscapes.
Landscape Unit 4
This landscape unit comprises the series of precipitous deep gullies that are emergent onto the valley floor. Due to the steep drop-offs along these gullies, natural barriers have been created giving protection to the diverse broadleaved species, from previous burn-offs and stock grazing. It would appear due to more recent conservative farming practices, and the realisation that these woody species, especially Griselinia (kapuka), act as a natural fire break. In many cases these woody species are being encouraged to establish furtber up the heads of many of the side gullies. The bottom section of these gullies fan out over the more fertile valley floor and are commonly covered with matagouri, native broom and Coprosma. This landscape unit would fall within the natural landscape category. These gullies are important for soil and water conservation, fire control, and have limited production value. Formal protection should be considered for the largest gully in the Scrub Burn.
HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES
There are no recorded moa hunter or classic Maori sites located on Rockvale Station.
The northern end of the Rock and Pillars have not been surveyed for Maori sites and there may still be rock shelters and caches in clefts which have not been found. It is known that parties of Maoris visited the Strath Taieri as part of their seasonal gathering of mahinga kai.
Pastoral occupation dates back to 1859 when Rockvale was part of the large Taieri Lake Station. The property was known formerly as Rahiri, although its original name was Rockvale and has recently, with a change of lessee, been renamed Rockvale.
Evidence of gold mining activity is limited to a section of the high altitude water race which took water from the Sowburn to supply the diggings at Hyde. Built in 1865 at a cost of 2000 pounds, this race was operated by race companies and is about two metres wide and 50 cm deep.
A feature of the "early survey landscape. of Otago is the carefully constructed stone based trig with a metal spike set in the centre, known as a bayonet trig. The plinth is usually a wide circle of dry stone walling filled in with soil and rocks. The spike is beaten flat at the top with the trig letter engraved upon it. This is one of the three major types of trig station used from the early days of triangulation. Trig J at GR 875388 on Rockvale is one of four such trigs on the Rock and Pillar Range, and was built prior to 1882.
Both the section of the Sowburn water race and bayonet trig J are protected by the Historic Places Act, as archaeological sites.
RECREATION AND ACCESS (MAP C)
The Rock and Pillar Range is the "home ground. for club skiing in Otago. Recorded winter usage goes back to 1932 with the formation of the Otago Ski Club initially used for downhill skiing, the development of Coronet Peak skifield in the 1950s and 1960s with its better weather, access terrain and facilities saw the eventual demise of this activity. In recent years cross-country skiing with the opportunity for extensive ski touring has become well established. Huts located on Glencreag serve as a base for overnight ski trips. The proximity of the range to Dunedin is a major factor in its relative importance for winter activities. It is only 80 km by sealed highway to the base of the range.
The "arctic" weather conditions, especially in winter, that frequently prevail on the summit and the lack of much natural shelter mean that experience in alpine navigation and knowledge of survival techniques are necessary pre-requisites for winter recreation.
Summer recreation use is developing with regular tramping trips to the range occurring by Dunedin based clubs. Some 4WD recreational use also occurs, involving traverses of the range from the Dunstan Track.
Recreation groups have identified the need for several unrestricted access routes up the eastern faces of the Rock and Pillar Range to provide for round trips of a day or several days as well as escape routes in bad weather. One such proposed route is located near the southern boundary of the lease along the existing 4WD farm access track to the summit crest. Access would be defined by way of an easement for foot travel only. There is currently no legal access on Rockvale.
The possibility of using the Central Otago rail corridor as an access point should be considered.
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS
The priority area for nature conservation on this pastoral lease is the top block, which is a continuation of the biodiversity of species and ecosystems present along the summit of the Rock and Pillar Range. The key feature of this area is the extensive and distinctive array of wetlands which differs markedly from the wetlands located at the southern end of the range.
The top block, whilst under previous ownership, was seldom grazed in recent years. A recent change of lessee and increased opportunities for change of tenure with some freeholding ability means that it is timely to attempt to protect the top block. Earlier attempts with the previous lessee had not been successful.
The adoption of the snowline fence, ie, the lower boundary of the top block, is tbe most practical line to separate conservation land from freehold land. Given its dilapidated state, it may be possible to negotiate a boundary on more meaningful conservation/fanuland boundary and replace part at least of the existing fence.
RECOMMENDATIONS (Map D)
That negotiations continue with the objective of reaching agreement on a proposed tenure change resulting in the following:
Tony Perrett
Manager PNAP/Pastoral
NOTES OF NGO CONSULTATION
Note: Consultation to date has been limited only to considering requirements for recreational use and access.
NGOs have flagged the need for unrestricted foot only access
along the existing 4WD farm access track near the southern boundary
of the lease. (There is no legal access either to or through the
pastoral lease except for the unformed legal road from State Highway
87 across freehold land to meet the northern boundary of the lease
near the Scrub Burn.)
Public Access New Zealand
Tuesday, February, 1996
The Manager
Landcorp Property Limited
P O Box 27
ALEXANDRA
Dear Sir,
Summary
(1) We are of the view that the proposals should not proceed as
recommended.
(2) We support reservation of the top block.
(3) We do not support freehold with covenant over the snow tussock
belt. We ask for either reservation or special lease.
(4) We support covenant over part of the Scrub Burn.
(5) We support the proposed foot access easement from State Highway
87, with year-round public foot access.
(6) We request that vehicle access be available for members of
the public from mid December to mid April along the existing farm
track.
(7) We request marginal strips along the Scrub Burn and Homestead
Creek if applicable.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft proposal.
We do not support the proposals in their present form. There are
aspects, itemised below, where we have concerns. We request further
explanation and consultation with us on these prior to a final
case being made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.
Proposed conservation land and upper covenant area
We agree that the proposal correctly identifies the main areas
of conservation and recreation interest as being within landscape
units 1 and 2. However we disagree with the proposal to confine
reservation to the tops, and to only covenant the snow tussock
belt. The report acknowledges that the latter is a predominantly
natural landscape, with the tussock cover in very good condition.
We believe that the proposed covenant will be a Clayton's Covenant.
We fail to see how burning or OSTD can possibly be of benefit
to conservation values. The runholder preference for burning on
this class of country runs counter to the findings of the Martin
Committee, unless substantial fertiliser applications are made.
If that were to happen, in association with over-sowing, the proposed
covenant management objective of maintaining natural values would
be defeated. Little will be gained for nature conservation from
monitoring the decline of vegetative and soil condition if there
are presumptions in the covenant in favour of burning and pasture
development. Monitoring in such circumstances will be little more
than a futile exercise and a waste of public money.
Even assuming that the terms of the covenant were adequate, we
have major reservations about the security of covenant mechanisms
as a means of protecting public interest values. Covenants can
be modified or extinguished at any time by agreement between the
parties, without any requirement for public notification or objection
from the public (see Mason, 'Private management of the public
interest?' PANZ Monograph No.
7, 1994).
While we appreciate the provision for public access and use of
the proposed covenant area even this provision could be restricted
or extinguished at some time in the future.
Because this proposed covenant cannot but fail to properly protect
the high natural values of the snow tussock belt, and covenants
provide inadequate protection for the public interest, we recommend
that this proposal not proceed. This snow tussock belt is clearly
an instance of overlapping conservation, recreation and pastoral
values ideally suited to either a public reservation with a restricted
grazing leasehold or a special lease over Crown land. This would
provide the security the runholder wants, proper weighting towards
conservation, and transparency and public accountability for the
administrators.
We believe that the proposal to which we object is the consequence
of the discredited 'PNA' approach of DOC. The department has taken
a narrow ecological view of its responsibilities by 'prioritising'
natural areas for protection and retention in Crown ownership.
While according top priority to some natural areas, such an approach
sacrifices others including in this case an area that is acknowledged
to be predominantly natural. DOC's approach even fails one of
the primary considerations of the PNA Programme--representativeness.
The snow tussock belt is the best remaining remnant, yet it is
not to be accorded 'priority' protection.
The authors of these proposals have lost sight of the fact that
tenure reviews hinge on the legal requirements of reclassification.
The ultimate test of the appropriateness of the proposals is the
suitability for any (meaning all) types of farming of the land
proposed for freeholding, not solely on the relative rankings
of naturalness.
We are strongly of the view that the proposals should not proceed
on the present basis. If new proposals are developed we request
consultation on these.
Public Access Easement
The public wants assured foot access at all times. We are therefore
pleased that provision will be made for foot access at all times.
The proposed route is the most direct route. We assume that the
easement will be registered against the existing freehold title
and any new titles to be issued. We note that while the easement
is described as starting at State Highway 87, the plan only shows
it commencing at the rail trail. It must commence at the state
highway. It should be 'reserved' under section 7(2) of the Conservation
Act.
Public Vehicle Access needed
It is proposed that DOC will have a right of way up the existing
farm access track. We believe that due to the considerable potential
for public education and appreciation of the upper 'protected'
areas, that vehicle access should be available over summer. If
foot-only access is available this will preclude many members
of the public from visiting and appreciating the area.
We request that vehicle access be available for members of the
public from mid December to mid April along the existing farm
track.
There would also be local demand for horse riding access along
the farm track. This should also be negotiated.
Marginal strips
There is some brown trout spawning and juvenile rearing in the
Scrub Burn. There may also be trout in Homestead Creek. If these
streams qualify for marginal strips, full width strips should
be established to provided future opportunities to enhance fisheries
values.
Conduct of negotiations
We are concerned that aspects of the proposals have advanced
beyond being mere 'proposals'. This prejudices public submissions
by seriously reducing the ability and willingness of DOC/Landcorp
to renegotiate the 'proposals'. We refer to the covenants where
the CCL is asked to 'recognise' rather than approve covenants
which DOC "has negotiated" (past tense). Also the CCL
is asked to 'acknowledge' that DOC "will have a right of
way" up the existing farm track. This is not good enough.
It brings into disrepute the tenure review process.
Yours faithfully,
Bruce Mason
Trustee
Knight Frank
Land Resources Division
P O Box 27
Alexandra
Telephone: (03) 448 6935
Facsimile: (03) 448 9099
Our Ref: Pol59/1
29 July 1996
Public Access New Zealand
RD 1
OMAKAU
Dear Submitter
RE: ROCKVALE TENURE REVIEW
Thank you for your submission on a draft tenure review proposal
for Rockvale Station.
Public submissions resulted in two substantial changes to the
advertised proposal.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands has approved the following:
(1) 350 hectares (subject to survey) comprising the summit plateau
wetlands and snow tussock grasslands extending down to approximately
1050 m.a.s.l. will be retained in Crown ownership and administered
by DOC. This area contains part of the historic Sowburn water
race and the bayonet trig J.
(2) The balance of the pastoral lease will be freeholded to the
current lessees.
(3) A conservation covenant will be registered against freehold
title. The covenant will afford protection for two areas ( depicted on attached map ):
(a) A tussock covered area between approximately 900 m and 1060
m.a.s.l. comprising 277 hectares (subject to survey) will be fenced
off from country below a recently constructed firebreak. Public
access within the area (foot only, no guns/dogs) will be as of
right. With the exception of grazing and limited burning, farming
activities will require ministerial approval. The landholder may
carry out limited patch burning of dense, narrow-leaved snow tussock
in the northern portion of the area, as determined by a fire recovery
index developed by Landcare Research. Burning will be followed
by spelling for one full growing season. Annual grazing inside
the covenant area will be restricted to not more than 500 ewes
for a period of 12 weeks between lst February and 30th April.
(b) The covenant will also afford protection over a forest/shrubland
remnant in the Scrub Bum. This part of the covenant primarily
protects the area from burning and earth disturbance..
(4) An easement will provide public foot access from State Highway
87 up an existing farm track to the proposed mid altitude covenant
area and conservation area on the summit of the range. As of right
access will be restricted to those on foot. Owners permission
will be required to take guns or animals on the route. This route
is considered to be no less practical than the farm track up the
centre of the property initially proposed for public access.
(5) A Right of Way in favour of the Department of Conservation
will be surveyed up the main farm track to give them vehicle access
to the proposed Conservation Estate for management purposes.
The lessees of Rockvale Station have agreed to the above proposal.
Please find attached map depicting the approved tenure review.
Thank you again for your submission.
Yours faithfully
Rob Wardle
Consultant
KNIGHT FRANK (NZ) LIMITED
There is a marked public foot access easement (yellow on map above) from State Highway 87 up the southern boundary of the property to the top block, which has become conservation area (Area 'A' above). The easement allows-
"...any member of the public...the full free uninterupted and unrestricted right liberty and privilege from time to time and at all times by day and by night to go pass and repass on foot only".
"Persons carrying guns and persons accompanied by animals are not permitted to use the easement unless the land ower's consent has been obtained".
