This page last modified 22 February 2000
South
Island high country
Otago leases
Po 347
Pisa Range
Otago Land District
Approved tenure review notified by Commissioner of Crown Lands
17/2/00
Back to Po 347 Queensberry Ridges
SUBMISSION TO COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS
Draft Proposal for Tenure Review
QUEENSBERRY RIDGES
KF REF: Po347
Application Date: 13 July 1995
(1) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Queensberry Ridges is a small run property in the Upper Clutha Valley situated 20 kms north of Cromwell on the Wanaka-Cromwell highway. It lies on the eastern face of the Pisa Range and runs from the highway to the top of the range. Although mostly highly modified for pastoral purposes there are significant values remaining both for nature conservation and public recreation.
The areas of interest identified in DOC's Conservation Resources Report have largely been met by this proposal. The significant outcomes which have been negotiated are as follows:
(1) An area of approximately 530 ha being the higher altitude and most natural area of the property will transfer to the Department of Conservation. It includes areas of snow totara and bog pine. This will involve a new rabbit netted fence over approximately 1.5 kms. Rabbit netting will ensure re-infestation from below does not occur in the future. This area will be destocked immediately.
(2) An area adjacent the northern boundary of approximately 40 ha being earlier identified as RAP B4 will be transferred to the Department of Conservation as conservation area with grazing to be excluded. This is an area of remnant halls totara and kanuka of conservation interest. The margin of this area, adjacent to the boundary is to be freeholded for the purpose of access and stock movement. New fencing will be required over approximately 1 km distance and the whole boundary will be rabbit netted.
(3) Public access will be provided to both the above DOC areas via a track which traverses the adjoining Queensberry Hills property before crossing the boundary into Queensberry Ridges. This will allow public non-vehicular access.
(4) It is proposed a conservation covenant under the Reserves Act 1977 be established over part of Schoolhouse Creek above a natural waterfall to protect the riparian vegetation. This riparian vegetation plays a significant role in protecting the habitat of a (un-named) Galaxid species. The 10 metre marginal strip will protect this vegetation from cultivation and intentional removal. It will also protect the creek from future water abstraction.
(2) PASTORAL LEASE DETAILS:
Term: 33 years from 1 July 1993
Expires on: 30 June 2026
Current Rental Value: $ 125,000
Current Annual Rent: $ 1,875
AREA: 1772 hectares
LESSEE: Queensberry Ridges Limited
Queensberry Ridges Limited is a ten man company registered under the Companies Act 1993. The directors are:
Richard John Somerville of Sydney
Noel Alexander Smith of Wellington
(3) RESOURCE REPORTS:
3.1 PROPERTY REPORT:
Climate:
Typical semi-arid Central Otago with hot dry summers and cold winters. Annual rainfall at the homestead is only 450 mm but with a steep altitudinal variation to 1400 - 1500 mm on the tops. Much of the higher altitude precipitation falls as snow with winter snowcap down to 1200 metres and falls to the lowest level are no uncommon. The predominant wind is the dry nor'wester and the lower terraces have an annual soil moisture deficit.
Altitude:
300 m.a.s.1. at the Cromwell-Wanaka Road SH6. The highest altitude is the rear of the property near Trig Point No 2 at 1444 m.a.s.1.
Shelter:
Natural contour and remnant shrubland.
Water:
Stock water is supplied from natural streams and there are two main catchments within the pastoral lease.
Soils:
Soil details were obtained from Soil and Water Conservation Plan No 278. They are mapped as follows:
Soils of the Steeplands:
Dunstan Steepland - are found on the steeper slopes above 1000 metres. Loose, friable, poorly structured soils of very low fertility. These are derived from schist and schist solifluction deposits and in most cases have been subject to sheet and wind erosion. These are only suitable for very restricted grazing in order that their delicate tussock mantle be preserved.
Arrow Steepland - occur on the damper more shady slopes of the lower hill country being high fertility soils with moderately developed structures. These are usually only slightly to moderately sheet and wind eroded. They are very responsive to oversowing and topdressing. These soils are capable of substantial increases in stock carrying capacity.
Roxburgh Steepland - found in the lower and drier slopes of the bottom hill country. Medium to high fertility soils derived from schist and schist loess. These are subject to gully and tunnel erosion on drier slopes. Responsive to oversowing and topdressing with soil moisture being the limiting factor. These soils need to be carefully managed to maintain dense vegetative cover which will protect them from soil erosion.
Soils of the Hilly Lands:
Carrick and Carrick Hill - similar characteristics to Dunstan steepland soils except that Carrick soils are found in rolling slopes and Carrick Hill soils on moderately steep slopes.
Tawhiti Hill - these soils have moderately developed topsoil structures of low to medium fertility and are found between 1000 - 1200 m.a.s.1. The lower areas are suitable for oversowing and topdressing while the upper areas are only suited for restricted grazing. In many areas these soils have been moderately to severely eroded.
Blackstone and Blackstone Hill - the rolling and moderate steep equivalents of Arrow steepland soils.
Cairnside Hill - similar to Roxburgh steepland soils are found on the moderately steep slopes.
Soils of the Fans:
Cluden silt loam - these are derived from schist loess and schist wash and colluvium mostly deep. Their native vegetation is fescue tussock and matagouri scrub, and are located on the gently sloping and easy rolling dissected fan surfaces. They have a medium natural nutrient status.
There are small areas of Lindis soils and Fraser stony sands and very shallow sandy loams.
Contour:
Approximately 35 ha of land on Queensberry Ridges is suitable for cultivation and this adjoins the main road at the bottom of the property. The majority of the property is steep to very steep having deeply incised steams being the Elfin Creek, Albert Burn and Schoolhouse Creek. At the highest altitudes contour varies from the rolling tops of the Pisa Range to steep faces.
The contour of the property is a major factor making it a difficult property were it run by itself.
Land Use Capability:
This has been derived from Soil and Water Conservation Plan No 278 which included a larger area. The land classifications have been estimated as follows:
| Class III | 5 ha |
| Class IV | 30 ha |
| Class VI | 442 ha |
| Class VII | 1295 ha |
| Total Area | 1772 ha |
Zoning:
Zoned Rural 1 under the Vincent County Council District Scheme which has been adopted by the now Central Otago District Council. The Rural 1 Zone is the general rural zone and covers most of the rural lands in the County in addition to farming and other uses associated with the agricultural use of land, provision is made for a range of Conditional Uses. The existing uses on the property are listed as a Predominant Use under the Plan.
General:
Queensberry Ridges is a small pastoral property located in a desirable area on the Cromwell-Wanaka road.
It is run with an adjoining 1124 ha of freehold and Electricorp Lease (now Contact Energy) and with this adjoining land is a well balanced property. The pastoral lease itself is on the northside of the road and quickly becomes steep and weedy with briar and kanuka being major impediments in pastoralism. Extensive burning has taken place in the past and in recent years goats have been used to keep open the canopy and control the briar. This has generally left an untidy appearance through the lower and mid-altitude country.
Cover consists of approximately 20 ha of pasture out of cultivation. A further 1214 ha has been oversown and topdressed and is tending to browntop. Approximately 538 ha of high altitude land is in its native state.
As well as the weed problems, rabbits have been in high numbers in the past and still are over parts of the property. Control measures have been ongoing but with the nature of the terrain and cover, control is particularly difficult. Even on the high altitude areas rabbits are evident in moderate numbers and appear to have been pushed up by high numbers lower down.
Queensberry Ridges has good fencing and is subdivided into approximately 20 blocks. There are no buildings located on the pastoral lease and there is good tracking through most of the property.
Production:
The stock limitation on the pastoral lease alone was approved in 1989 at:
3000 sheep (including not more than 2000 breeding ewes)
30 cattle
1100 mixed sex goats
This totals approximately 3150 su inclusive of goats.
The Top Block was subject to a limit of 310 su on an annual basis. Our records for 1993 estimate that the pastoral lease carried approximately 2800 su with good average performance. In recent years with a change in management more emphasis is being placed on the adjoining freehold and flats. Last year when there was ample summer feed it is estimated that only 1300 su were run on the pastoral lease.
3.2 CONSERVATION RESOURCES REPORT:
Introduction:
All of the property is within the Pisa ecological district and was surveyed under the Protected Natural Areas programme in February 1985. Two areas were identified as part of Recommended Areas for Protection, approximately 20 ha of a 150 ha first priority RAP (Pisa A4) and approximately 50 ha of an 80 ha second priority RAP (Pisa B4).
The property has been extensively modified by fire, grazing, weeds (Hieracium and briar) and top dressing and oversowing, but significant natural values remain particularly at higher altitude.
Landscape:
The main visual and scenic values stem from:
(a) The distinctive natural indigenous character derived from the combination of land form, geology (i.e. Central Otago schist rock) and the homogenous kanuka shrubland which occurs in this landscape type.
(b) The scenic values associated with the schist rock bluffs and dominant kanuka vegetation as viewed from the Cromwell Wanaka highway.
GEOMORPHOLOGY:
The property is all on the eastern fault face of the Pisa range, one of the major Haast schist block mountain ranges in Central Otago. It is basically one plane scoured by the Clutha glacier in early glaciations and then dissected over time by three main catchments, Alfern Creek and Albert burn which join at the bottom of the hill and Schoolhouse Creek.
There are no recorded geopreservation sites on this property.
VEGETATION:
The flats are all highly modified into productive pasture and contain little of conservation value. The hill slopes start at the 300 m asl contour and rise to 1444 m and can broadly be broken into two separate bands. The lower slopes cover the 300-800 m zone and the upper band rises from 800-1990 m.
The lower band is a mosaic of patches of regenerating kanuka, burnt kanuka, pasture grasses, briar and matagouri. The sunnier faces and ridges are largely exotic pasture of sweet vernal, sorrel and clover, with patches of matagouri and briar. Since the PNAP survey, large portions of this band have been burned for farm development purposes. This burning has left small refuges of indigenous vegetation around rocky outcrops, and small areas on shady slopes.
This burning has destroyed the values identified within the Locharburn RAP on Queensberry Ridges, though they still remain on the adjoining property. Alongside the creek margins the shrubland is highly variable in density with the best area being in the Alfern Creek forming part of the RAP Pisa B4.
This RAP straddles a broad dry ridge running northeast from the Alfern Creek to the property boundary. The lower slopes of the RAP are predominantly kanuka shrubland which peters our to become scattered islands of kanuka higher up the ridge and around rock outcrops. These islands are surrounded by modified fescue tussock grassland with a mix of sweet vernal and cocksfoot and patches of Hzeracium lepidulum. A large rocky outcrop hosts a number of Halls totara in amongst the kanuka. A few scattered mature Halls totara and seedlings also occur in the fescue grassland downslope from the outcrop. Other shrubland species found here are Coprosma ciliata, C. propinqua and Corokia cofoneaster. One celery pine was noted as occurring in the Halls totara in 1985.
Above this lower zone, the mosaic of shrubland and pasture gives way to an induced alpine vegetation. This area largely coincides with the top block of Queensberry Ridges. Along a broad band between 800-100 m scattered remnants of alpine shrubland occurs in isolated pockets.
A few scattered bog pine Halocarpus bibwillii, occur on a sunny slope near Trig Q, along with snow totara Podocarpus nivalis. The latter is the only record in the Pisa ED, and bog pine is relatively uncommon. Other shrubland plants occurring in this area or alongside the numerous small creeks which drain the tops are Dracophyllum muscoides, Cassinia vauvilliersii and Olearia sp. The balance of this area is predominantly a short tussock grassland of blue tussock Poa colensoi and fescue Festuca novae-zelandiae Remnants of tall snow tussocks Chiononhloa rigida and C. macra are sparsely scattered throughout the area, except on small shady slopes by creek margins where the density increases. Within this short tussock grassland a wide range of alpine plants are found; mountain daisy Celmisia viscosa, prostrate broom Carmichaelia monroi, Aciphylla aurea and scattered plants of coral broom Corallospartium crassicaule. Mats of Dracophyllum muscoides are numerous throughout the top block.
Fauna:
The three creeks (Schoolhouse, Albert and Alfern) were electric fished on 19 October 1995. One of the new presently unnamed Galaxid species was found above the falls (G41 184893) in Schoolhouse Creek and brown trout below~ the falls. Other surveys tend to indicate that the species will be fairly common and widespread but further work is required for confirmation. Fishing in the other two creeks produced only brown trout but it is likely that the galaxid exists in stretches inaccessible to trout because of obstructions.
New Zealand falcon, black-backed gulls and dotterel are found on the property in modest numbers, particularly at higher altitude. Harrier hawks occur throughout and skylarks, quail and grey warbler at lower altitude, the last two predominantly in shrubland habitats.
Historic Resources:
The relevant history of the Queensberry area. along with brief descriptions of the geology and vegetation, are summarised in Ritchie's reports to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Ritchie 1980a,b). He notes that there was little to attract Maori groups to these dry windswept terraces and the known prehistoric sites were ovens, find spots and an occasional rock shelter, now mostly destroyed. None of these are shown on Queensberry Ridges on the official site records map.
On this property, races No 204 and No 206 rise from small weirs in the Albert Burn at GR110951 (NZMS 124). About 200 m upstream above the confluence of the Albert Burn and Alfern Creek, there are the bulldozed remains of two stone huts with some mounds which might be tailings in the creek nearby, but these may have been race keepers' huts. The two races are still in use and their weirs are now reinforced with sand bags. Right at the intake of the upper race (No 204), there is the debris of what may have been a rabbiter's hut (old timber, corrugated iron and a 44 gallon drum suitable for a dog kennel).
Significance:
While of interest and part of the overall picture, none of these structures are of major significance.
Existing Land Status:
The subject part of the property consists of one pastoral lease title. There are no legal roads or marginal strips within the title and Department of Survey and Land Information did not consider any of the creeks required the laying off of marginal strips at lease renewal.
Recreation/Access:
(a) Access
Two 4WD tracks on the property lead to the Pisa crest, one completely within the property and one partly through a neighbours. Both these tracks are however, steep in parts and are only passable to true all-terrain vehicles in dry conditions.
The two best vehicle tracks to the northern Pisa tops (Locharburn and Queensberry Hills) both pass in part through this property.
(b) Uses
The lower slopes contain a high and reasonably stable population of quail in the briar belt and succeeding owners have allowed hunters relatively free access to this resource. Other than this, very little recreational use of this property occurs excepting for traffic on the Locharburn and Queensberry Hills tracks. There is potential for some increased use of these tracks and some cross country skiing (en route to elsewhere) on the crest but overall recreation is not a major issue.
General:
While having less extensive areas of high conservation value than some other properties those present are nevertheless important.
The remnant shrubland (RAP (RAP B4) and the Galaxid population in Schoolhouse (: reek are uncommon and warrant protection in their own right.
The higher altitude vegetation while common to the range is still of high value and in addition forms part of a coherent whole with the areas being negotiated from adjoining tenure reviews.
3.3 MINERAL RESOURCES:
There is evidence of water races, huts and possible tailings from early gold workings on the property. It is mostly likely that the property was seen as a source of water for gold workings adjacent to the Clutha River rather than a source of gold itself. There are no known significant deposits of gold or other minerals on the property.
3.4 TOURISM RESOURCES:
Queensberry Ridges is located adjacent to SH6 which enjoys high tourist numbers as it is the main route between the resorts of Wanaka and Queenstown. The tourist use of the property itself would be negligible.
There is some use of the property to gain access to higher altitude parts of the range and for quail or rabbit shooting.
3.5 FORESTRY RESOURCES:
There are no plantations or shelter belts planted on the property. Generally this location is unsuited to forestry. Low rainfall on the lower altitude areas limits tree growth. Although pine trees grow nearby there would be many more suitable areas for forestry production.
4 PUBLIC CONSULTATION:
An early warning meeting of interested non-governmental organisations took place on 14 September 1995. The two areas of interest on this property were the retention and protection of the higher altitude country and public access.
4.2 NGAI TAHU CONSULTATION:
The Te Runanga Ngai Tahu representative Mr Trevor Howse inspected the property on the 26 February 1996. There were no areas of interest discussed on the day however Te Runanga Ngai Tahu will report directly to the Office of Crown Lands regarding any Iwi cultural interests when requested.
DISCUSSION AND JUSTIFICATION::
A Conservation Resources Report for Queensberry Ridges was provided to Knight Frank and the lessee in May 1996, by the Department of Conservation. This formed the basis of early discussions from which this proposal has been developed.
Negotiations have been very satisfactory resulting in almost all conservation interests being met by this proposal. In developing this proposal one must remember that this property forms part of a larger picture with a newly emerging mosaic of tenures and protected areas over much of the Pisa Range. At this time tenure review is under way over the entire Pisa Range and many outcomes have been agreed. The outcomes on this property must fit closely with those on neighbouring properties. We are confident that this is being achieved.
5.1 DOC RECOMMENDATIONS/PROPOSED OUTCOMES:
The Department of Conservation's summary of their preferred outcomes suggests that the tenure review on Queensberry Ridges should recognise the following:
(a) Approximately 650 ha (now modified to 530 ha) above the snowline fence to transfer to DOC as a conservation area and grazing to be excluded.
Comment:
This has been agreed. There will be some adjustments to the fence at the bottom of this block. The fence will cut-off those areas of less natural cover most suited to pastoral purposes and by netting the fence rabbits will be excluded from future invasion from the lower altitude areas. It is proposed that for the first 2 years maintenance of this fence be the responsibility of the lessee as rabbits will tend to pressurise it after erection. Initial rabbit control on this area will be required, but ongoing costs will be infrequent.
(b) The shrubland area of approximating RAP B4 transfer to DOC as conservation area and grazing be excluded.
Comment:
This has been agreed, however the track on the northside of this area adjacent to the boundary will remain with the area to be freeholded to facilitate farm management and stock movement. The whole area will be rabbit netted and no grazing is proposed. There are some risks of fire due to the inevitable rank vegetation, however this is only likely to be during dry summers.
(c) An access easement under Section 7(2) of the Conservation Act in favour of the public, allowing foot access at all times be placed on the track between RAP 4 and the upper conservation area.
Comment:
This is a continuation of the track starting on the adjoining Queensberry Hills property which is at present under negotiation for tenure change. This track starts at the main road and travels to the top of the range. It provides good vehicle access at least as far as the TV translator at 680 m.a.s.1. From here is it envisaged non-motorised access will be provided to the RAP and the proposed DOC area at the top of the property. Although higher altitude parts of this track are suitable for 4WD vehicles, damage in recent years to high level tracks on the Pisa Range suggest that consequences of wide spread and uncontrolled public vehicle access would be detrimental to the environment. The cost of road maintenance would also cause major problems, particularly at higher altitudes.
Suitable signage will be agreed with the occupiers. The easement will restrict, dogs, firearms, vehicles and fires.
(d) An access easement in favour of the owners of Queensberry Ridges through RAP B4 be established to enable vehicle and stock movement for farm management purposes.
Comment:
As discussed an alteration to the boundary of the RAP means that this easement is no longer required.
(e) The conservation covenant under the Reserves Act be established to protect the berms and Schoolhouse Creek, Elfin Creek, and Albert Burn to a distance of 10 metres on eitherside from cultivation or woody plant removal except for access track crossings. The covenant to extend from State Highway 6 to 700 metre contour as per the attached map.
Comment:
The lessees have agreed that the protection of the environment for the Galaxid found in Schoolhouse Creek is important. They have agreed to allow protection via a conservation covenant above a specific waterfall which blocks trout movement. Also included is a condition to prohibit future water abstraction. The protection of the Albert Burn and Elfin Creeks was seen less important and was excluded for farm management reasons.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) That you accept surrender of Po347 as at 30 June or 31 December following the completion of survey plans and necessary documentation under Section 145 of the Land Act 1948.
(2) That an area of approximately 570 ha (subject to survey) be transferred to the Department of Conservation as conservation land under the Conservation Act 1987.
(3) That an area of approximately 1202 ha be preferentially allocated to Queensberry Ridges Limited under Section 54 of the Land Act 1948 for a purchase price yet to be agreed.
(4) That you agree to the establishment of an access easement over an existing traclc on the freehold title along the northern boundary which will be registered under Section 72 of the Conservation Act 1987.
(5) That a conservation covenant be registered under the Reserves Act 1977 over part of Schoolhouse Creek.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
(1) Current and historical files for Po347
(2) Otago Catchment Board Soil and Water Conservation Plan No 278
(3) Vincent County District Scheme
Back to Po 347 Queensberry Ridges
CONSERVATION RESOURCE REPORT
PART 1
INTRODUCTION
A small run property in the upper Clutha Valley situated 20 km north of Cromwell on the Wanaka -Cromwell highway. The pastoral lease title, which is the majority of the property, contains 1,772 ha and runs from 300 m altitude near the homestead to over 1,400 m at the tops on the Pisa range crest. There is a small area of flat land near the road, the balance of the lease being moderately to very steep. All of the property is within the Pisa ecological district and was surveyed under the Protected Natural Areas programme in February 1985. Two areas were identified as part of Recommended Areas for Protection, approximately 20 ha of a 150 ha first priority RAP (Pisa A4) and approximately 50 ha of an 80 ha second priority RAP (Pisa B4).
The property has been extensively modified by fire, grazing, weeds (hieracium and briar) and top dressing and oversowing, but significant natural values remain particularly at higher altitude.
LANDSCAPE
The property forms part of the north east slopes of the Pisa fault block mountain range. The lower slopes are deeply dissected and incised giving a pronounced ridge and Valley system . The Alfern Creek and Albert burn and their tributaries are notable for their dark shady faces.
Extensive burning of kanuka shrubland has occurred on the lower slopes in the past. The removal of the indigenous vegetation cover has considerably altered the landscape character. The combination of burning and hard grazing has suppressed kanuka regeneration. Removal of kanuka shrubland is associated with soil degradation on slopes above the Cromwell highway and possibly weed infestation.
The main visual and scenic values stem from:
The north and north east slopes of the Pisa range are prominent in view from most parts of the upper Clutha Valley. The hills are most visible away from the Cromwell-Wanaka highway, e.g. from the Luggate-Tarras road, and the remnant kanuka shrubland is very important both to the landscape character and to visual and scenic values, however this property because of the reduced kanuka, does not rate highly in terms of landscape significance.
GEOMORPHOLOGY
The property is all on the eastern fault face of the Pisa range 7 one of the major Haast schist block mountain ranges in Central Otago. It is basically one plane scoured by the Clutha glacier in early glaciations and then dissected over time by three main catchments, Alfern Creek and Albert burn which join at the bottom of the hill and Schoolhouse Creek.
The main soil types are, on the lower country Waenga and Drybread Brown Grey earths, on the middle altitude country Arrow steepland Yellow Grey earths and on the higher country Dunstan upland Yellow Brown earths.
While there are numerous rock outcrops and bluffs there are not the major formations (cliffs and tors) of further south on the range.
There are no recorded geopreservation sites on this property.
CLIMATE
Typical semi-arid Central Otago with hot dry summers and cold winters. Annual rainfall at the homestead is only 450 mm but with a steep altitudinal variation to 1,400-1,500 mm on the tops. Much of the higher altitude precipitation falls as snow with a winter snow cap down to 1,200 m and falls to the lowest levels not uncommon. The predominant wind is the dry nor wester and the lower terraces have an annual soil moisture deficit.
VEGETATION
Queensberry Ridges lies within the Pisa Ecological District (ED) as part of the broader Central Otago Ecological Region. The Pisa ED was surveyed as part of the Protected Natural Areas Programrne (PNAP) over the summer of 1984-85 and recommended two areas as being worthy of protection on this property (RAPs). These RAPs are known as Pisa A4 Locharburn, and Pisa B4 Alfern Creek, and are first and second priority RAPs. The Locharburn RAP lies mainIy on the adjoining property to the south and only the northern 20 ha is on Queensberry Ridges. The Alfern Creek RAP is similarly situated with some 50 ha being located on Queensberry Ridges and the remaining 30 ha on an adjoining property to the north. Early initiatives under PNAP implementation saw some boundary changes being recommended for these RAPs. Surveys since for tenure review have subsequently endorsed the boundary changes and these modified RAPs will be discussed fully after a general overview of the vegetation of Queensberry Ridges.
The flats are all highly modified into productive pasture and contain little of conservation value. The hill slopes start at the 300 m asl contour and rise to 1444 m and can broadly be broken into two separate bands. The lower slopes cover the 300-800 m zone and the upper band rises from 8001990 m.
The lower band is a mosaic of patches of regenerating kanuka, burnt kanuka, pasture grasses, briar and matagouri. The sunnier faces and ridges are largely exotic pasture of sweet vernal, sorrel and clover, with patches of matagouri and briar. Since the PNAP survey, large portions of this band have been burned for farm development purposes. This burning has left small refuges of indigenous vegetation around rocky outcrops, and small areas on shady slopes.
This burning has destroyed the values identified within the Locharburn RAP on Queensberry Ridges, though they still remain on the adjoining property. Alongside the creek margins the shrubland is highly variable in density with the best area being in the Alfern Creek forming part of the RAP Pisa B4.
This RAP straddles a broad dry ridge running northeast from the Alfern Creek to the property boundary. The lower slopes of the RAP are predominantly kanuka shrubland which peters our to become scattered islands of kanuka higher up the ridge and around rock outcrops. These islands are surrounded by modified fescue tussock grassland with a mix of sweet vernal and cocksfoot and patches of Hieracium lepidulum. A large rocky outcrop hosts a number of Halls totara in amongst the kanuka. A few scattered mature Halls totara and seedlings also occur in the fescue grassland downslope from the outcrop. Other shrubland species found here are Coprosma ciliata, C. propinqua and Corokia cotoneaster. One celery pine was noted as occurring in the Halls totara in 1985. This RAP was given second priority status as it lacked the species diversity found in the Locharburn RAP on the adjoining property. Since 1985 fires have altered the situation and extensive dryland kanuka shrubland is not well represented in the Central Otago environment.
Above this lower zone, the mosaic of shrubland and pasture gives way to an induced alpine vegetation. This area largely coincides with the top block of Queensberry Ridges. Along a broad band between 800-100 m scattered remnants of alpine shrubland occurs in isolated pockets.
A few scattered bog pine Halocarpus bidwillii, occur on a sunny slope near Trig Q, along with snow totara Podocarpus nivalis. The latter is the only record in the Pisa ED, and bog pine is relatively uncommon. Other shrubland plants occurring in this area or alongside the numerous small creeks which drain the tops are Dracophyllum muscoides, cassi inia vauvilliersii and Olearia s p. The balance of this area is predominantly a short tussock grassland of blue tussock Poa colensoi and fescue Festuca novae-zelandiae. Remnants of tall snow tussocks Chionochloa rigida and C. macra are sparsely scattered throughout the area, except on small shady slopes by creek margins where the density increases. Within this short tussock grassland a wide range of alpine plants are found; mountain daisy Celmisia viscosa, prostrate broom Carmichaelia monroi, Aciphylla aurea and scattered plants of coral broom Corallospartium crassicaule. Mats of Dracophyllum muscoides are numerous throughout the top block.
Significance
The high inherent vegetation values on Queensberry Ridges are focused primarily around the remnant Halls totara growing on rocks above the Alfern Creek. The kanuka remnant is one of a few in the ecological region growing on the Pisas and the alpine shrubland of snow totara and bog pine is a significant remnant of pre-European vegetation.
FAUNA
Aquatic Vertebrate
The three creeks (Schoolhouse, Albert and Alfern) were electric fished on 19 October 1995. One of the new presently unnarned Galaxid species was found above the falls (G41 184893) in Schoolhouse Creek and brown trout below the falls. Other surveys tend to indicate that the species will be fairly common and widespread but further work is required for confirmation. Fishing in the other two creeks produced only brown trout but it is likely that the galaxid exists in stretches inaccessible to trout because of obstructions.
Terrestrial Vertebrates
New Zealand falcon, black-backed gulls and dotterel are found on the property in modest numbers, particularly at higher altitude. Harrier hawks occur throughout and skylarks, quail and grey warbler at lower altitude, the last two predominantly in shrubland habitats.
Significance
The new Galaxid species and the New Zealand falcon as a category B threatened species, while not of mayor significance, are important.
HISTORIC RESOURCES
An early run map of Mount Pisa Station shows it as including most of the Pisa Range, stretching from Luggate to the Kawarau Gorge. The Mount Pisa lessees remained in possession of the big run until as late as 1924, when the block was divided into 12 smaller units, one of which was the current Queensberry Ridges.
The relevant history of the Queensberry area. along with brief descriptions of the geology and vegetation, are surnmarised in Ritchie's reports to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (Ritchie 1980a,b). He notes that there was little to attract Maori groups to these dry windswept terraces and the known prehistoric sites were ovens, find spots and an occasional rock shelter, now mostly destroyed. None of these are shown on Queensberry Ridges on the offtcial site records map.
On this property, races No 2W and No 206 rise from small weirs in the Albert Burn at GR110951 (NZMS 124). About 200 m upstream above the confluence of the Albert Burn and Alfern Creek, there are the bulldozed remains of two stone huts with some mounds which might be tailings in the creek nearby, but these may have been race keepers' huts. The two races are still in use and their weirs are now reinforced with sand bags. Right at the intake of the upper race (No 204), there is the debris of what may have been a rabbiter's hut (old timber, corrugated iron and a 44 gallon drum suitable for a dog kennel). The races are relatively small - 50 cm wide and 30-40 cm deep and are being used to flood irrigate lucerne paddocks on the slope between the road and the hill. A third faint race which may be No 208 appears on the hill slope at about GR119958, where the lower of the two races from the Albert Burn vanishes. At one point all three races are visible from the road.
Significance
While of interest and part of the overall picture, none of these structures are of major significance.
The property has been visited by Trevor Howse of the Ngai Tahu Trust Board who will report directly to the office of Crown Lands in the normal way regarding any Iwi cultural interests.
EXISTING LAND STATUS
The subject part of the property consists of one pastoral lease title. There are no legal roads or marginal strips within the title and Department of Survey and Land Information did not consider any of the creeks required the laying off of marginal strips at lease renewal.
RECREATION/ACCESS
a Access
Two 4WD tracks on the property lead to the Pisa crest, one completely within the property and one partly through a neighbours. Both these tracks are however, steep in parts and are only passable to true all-terrain vehicles in dry conditions.
The two best vehicle tracks to the northern Pisa tops (Locharburn and Queensberry Hills) both pass in part through this property.
b Uses
The lower slopes contain a high and reasonably stable population of quail in the briar belt and succeeding owners have allowed hunters relatively free access to this resource. Other than this, very little recreational use of this property occurs excepting for traffic on the Locharburn and Queensberry Hills tracks. There is potential for some increased use of these tracks and some cross country skiing (en route to elsewhere) on the crest but overall recreation is not a major issue.
EXISTING MANAGEMENT
The most significant problem plants are briar at lower altitude and Hieracium (both H. pilosella and H. lepidulum)) over all except the highest altitude country. The only animal pest of note is the rabbit, which is a major threat over the majority of the property.
In the past the natural values have been significantly affected by burning and heavy grazing.
ATTACHMENTS
(a) map of areas of conservation values
(b) relevant extracts from PNA report on Pisa ecological district
Back to Po 347 Queensberry Ridges
Public Access New Zealand
R D 1 Omakau 9182 Central Otago
18 April 1997
Submission on Draft Proposal for Tenure Exchange
Queensberry Ridges
The Manager
Knight Frank (NZ) Ltd
P O Box 27
ALEXANDRA
Fax 448 0999
Dear Ken Taylor
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft proposal.
We support the advertised proposals, and request that your intent for public access be expressly provided for in your recommendations to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.
Explanation:
We support the provision of a public access easement within Queensberry Ridges along the vehicle track from the boundary gate immediately above the airstrip, to the proposed conservation area on the top block.
The CCL has recently argued to the Ombudsman, in regard to a tenure review on another property, that he is not bound to implement anything not expressly covered by your recommendations to him. We believe that this is an argument of convenience which subverts the tenure review process and makes a mockery of your reports to him.
However to overcome such nonsense, we request that you make explicit provision in your future recommendations on public access and related matters.
In this case we request that your recommendation (4) be expanded to state what you include under 'comments' on page 11 of your draft proposals. Namely-
Note that your recommendation should read 'section 7(2) of the Conservation Act', not 'section 72'.
We request that the easement also provide for mountain bike use. Such use would not cause appreciable wear and tear on the track. The track is suitable for such use and there is likely to be demand for such once the whole access route is completed.
This access is dependent on access being negotiated through Queensberry Hills. We believe that public vehicle use along the track is very desirable as this remains the last opportunity for vehicle access to the north Pisa tops. From my inspection of the track there appears to be insufficient reason to restrict vehicle access to just as far as the TV translator. We believe that vehicle access should be permitted as far as the RAP boundary at the airstrip. Beyond that the track deteriorates markedly and we agree that as-of-right vehicle access is undesirable.
Yours faithfully
Bruce Mason
Researcher
Knight Frank
Land Resources Division
Our Ref: Po347/1
4 December 1998
Bruce Mason
Public Access New Zealand
1 RD
Omakau
Dear Sir
Re: Queensberry Ridges Tenure Review -- Advice of Commissioner of Crown Land's Consent
Thank you for your submission on the draft Queensberry Ridges tenure review proposal. I am pleased to advise the Commissioner of Crown Lands approved the tenure review on Queensberry Ridges on 9 March 1998.
The approval included the following:
(1) The surrender of Po347 at 30 June or 31 December following completion of survey plans and necessary documentation under Section 145 of the Land Act 1948.
(2) Two areas totally approximately 570 ha (subject to survey) to be transferred to the Department of Conservation under the Conservation Act 1987.
(3) An area of approximately 1202 ha to be preferentially allocated to Queensberry Ridges under Section 54 of the Land Act 1948.
(4) The establishment of an access easement over an existing track on the freehold title along the northern boundary which will be registered under Section 7(2) of the Conservation Act 1987.
(5) The establishment of an access easement from the Wanaka-Cromwell road (State Highway 6) to join with the easement in (4) above. This access will only be created if the more favoured access through Queensberry Hills cannot be negotiated. It will be registered under Section 7(2) of the Conservation Act 1987.
(6) Access easements are to be for foot, bicycles and horse access at all times.
(7) A conservation covenant to be registered under the Reserves Act 1977 over a part of School House Creek.
(8) Details of the above recommendations are to be consistent with the text of the proposal.
The draft proposal attracted nine submissions and the main issues were:
(1) Five submissions suggested vehicle access should be available to the boundary (translator road).
Outcome:
Part of Queensberry Hills tenure review next door. CCL has approved this and full public notification will be made when the Queensberry Hill Heads of Agreement has been signed.
(2) Three submissions supported the proposal.
(3) Two submissions recommended horse access.
Outcome:
Included.
(4) Two submissions recommended that DOC have all of the Top Block.
Outcome:
Not included.
Other submissions focused on single issues.
Thank you again for your submission. We believe public submissions are important to enable us to develop the best possible tenure review outcomes.
Yours faithfully
T J Whittaker
for Manager, Alexandra
Knight Frank (NZ) Limited
Back to Po 347 Queensberry Ridges
Re-notification of CCL's decision
Knight Frank
Land Resources Division
Alexandra
17 February 2000
Public Access New Zealand
RD 1
OMAKAU 9182
Dear Sir
RE: QUEENSBERRY RIDGES TENURE REVIEW - ADVICE OF COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS CONSENT
Thank you for your submission on the draft Queensberry Ridges tenure review proposal.
The proposal attracted 9 written submissions.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands has approved the following outcomes in relation to this tenure review:
(1) The surrender of Po347 as at 30 June or 31 December following the completion of survey plans and necessary documentation under Section 145 of the Land Act 1948.
(2) Two areas totalling approximately 570 ha (subject to survey) are to be transferred to the Department of Conservation as conservation land under the Conservation Act 1987.
(3) An area of approximately 1202 ha is to be preferentially allocated to Queensbury Ridges Limited under Section 54 of the Land Act 1948.
(4) The establishment of an access easement over an existing track on the freehold title along the northern boundary which will be registered under Section 7 (2) of the Conservation Act 1987.
(5) To establish an access easement from the Wanaka - Cromwell Road State Highway 6 to join with the easement in (4) above. This access will only be created if the more favoured access through Queensberry Hills cannot be negotiated. It will be registered under Section 7 (2) of the Conservation Act 1987.
(6) Access easements are to be for foot, bicycle and horse access at all times.
(7) A conservation covenant is to be registered under the Reserves Act 1977 over part of Schoolhouse Creek (to protect native fish).
Thank you again for your submission. We believe public submissions are an important to enable the Crown to consider your views.
Yours faithfully
T J Whittaker
for Manager, Alexandra
KNIGHT FRANK (NZ) LlMITED
Back to Po 347 Queensberry Ridges