This page last modified 19 September 1998
South
Island high country
Otago leases
Po 373
Pomahaka
Otago Land District
Tenure review approved by Commissioner of Crown Lands <November
1996
Back to ... Po 373 Whitecoomb Farm
DRAFT SUBMISSION
TO COMMISSIONER OF CROWN LANDS
Application for Tenure Change
WHITECOOMB FARM
Application Date: 1 June 1992
PROPOSAL:
To reclassify a small pastoral lease holding of 407 ha to farm land, to enable freeholding by the applicants The Wilden Trust.
LEASE:
Legal Description Pt Run 609, Block XVII Wart Hill Survey District, Otago Land District. CT 12B/60
Run Details: Part Whitecoomb
Area: 406.9873 hectares
Lease Details:
Tenure Pastoral Lease
Term 33 years from 1 July 1962
Expiry 30 June 1995
Rent Review 31 December 1993
Rental Value 1280su (a $113.28/1000su
Annual Rent $145
Crown Improvements: Nil
Stock Limitation in Lease: 1600 sheep (including not more than 1000 BE
Personal Stock Limitation: 3800 su
LESSEE: The Wilden Trust (E & L Paterson). Managed by R G Paterson.
LOCATION:
On Wilden Runs Road, 19km west of Heriot.. (Roxburgh lies 37 km to north east).
OTHER LAND HELD:
Adjoining freehold farm of 335 ha, which was most of the original steading area for the Gem Lake pastoral lease. This portion of the steading area was reclassified in 1968 and sold out of Gem Lake.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
(a) Aspect: Predominantly south facing, with about 130 ha north facing.
(b) Altitude: 427 metres to 671 m.a.s.l.
(c) Contour: A series of broad, easy sloping ridges separated by moderately steep, shallow gullies. Some of the more continuous ridges become strongly rolling to moderately steep. Good draining land.
(d) Area ploughable: Around 330 ha have been cultivated, mainly once out of snow and red tussocks, over the past 30 years. (Gully sides and bottoms have been left undisturbed as part of the original consents to cultivate, but have been modified by aerial oversowing and topdressing). Around 25 - 30 ha are reworked annually into winter feed crops and new pasture.
(e) Rainfall: 725 mm per annum
(f) Water Supply: Linked into a local rural scheme to reticulated trough supply. Some natural also. No irrigation.
(g) Subdivision: Currently into more than 40 paddocks, with yet closer subdivision proposed.
(h) Snow Risk: Can cover the entire property for up to 6 weeks in winter causing access problems, but generally no major stock losses.
(i) Summer/Winter Balance: Not really applicable, as the property tends to a southerly aspect with bountiful summer production. Around 130 ha more north facing. A compact, generally homogenous unit.
(j) Shelter: Natural low shelter from retained snow
and red tussocks in gully systems provide some useful protection
during lambing. Approximately 2.5 km of windbreaks have been planted
over the past 20 years, and are providing useful shelter and soil
protection for stock and cultivation. Some amenity poplars and
a small eucalyptus woodlot have also been established.
(k) Reversion: Not a problem, as the property is highly developed and maintains a pasture renewal programme.
(l) Erosion: Very little significant erosion, confined to minor wind erosion during spring cultivation, occasional very minor slips on steeper gullies and sheet wash on fallow ground.
(m) Weeds & Pests : Nothing of major consequence, although opossum could become so. Maori onion (Bulbinella spp) has become quite aggressive on some shady areas and is quite unpalatable to stock.
(n) Soils: Soils are mapped as Wehenga series over all contours, and are upland and high country yellow brown earths. Parent material is schist with dominant original cover of snow and red tussocks. Soils are mantles with schist loess of varying thickness.
(o) Land Use Capability:
| 166 ha | Class III | 41% |
| 114 ha | Class IV | 28% |
| 126 ha | Class VI | 31% |
| 406 ha | 100% |
(p) Cover:
| 150 ha | Good pasture |
| 150 ha | Fair pasture |
| 30 ha | Uncultivated (mixed tussocks, browntop, sweet vernal) |
| 25 ha | Winter feed |
| 51 ha | Gullies/Plantations/Windbreak |
| 406 ha |
(q) General: A small but highly modified, developed and economic unit capable of high production within a generally reliable climatic environment.
PRODUCTION:
1991 and 1992 stock figures have remained static:
3100 ewes (50/50 Romney/Perendale)
710 Romney Ewe Hoggets
40 Romney Rams
Totals: 3850 (3600 su)
Progressing towards a pure Romney flock, with production averages of 110% for lambing and 4.0 kg plus/head wool.
No cattle are kept as general policy, but may sell cattle grazing if needed to clean up rank areas.
Winter root/greenfeed crops grown, also hay and silage cropped.
Topsoil structures are well developed, but natural nutrient status is low and soils respond well to sulphur, phosphate and lime.
Swedes and Choumoellier are sown down with 500 kg borated super and new grass with 250 straight super. Lime is applied at generally 300 kg depending on soil tests which are regularly carried out. About 90 tonnes fertilizer/lime applied annually for both maintenance and new development.
PREVIOUS HISTORY:
Until early 1988, this farm was the steading area for the main pastoral lease block some 15 km distant by road, and located on the eastern flanks of the Black Umbrella Range (Part Run 609, 4257 ha, Po374).
The total property was approved for subdivision in April 1988 having been considered as two economic units, and was marketed for sale in 1988. (Mr H T Brenssell purchased the main Run Block). The previous lessees (W R Gibson and Family Trust) commenced the development of the farm during the late 1950's into its present intensively modified state.
CONSERVATION VALUES:
Botanical:
Department of Conservation officers have inspected the farm and advise that there are no significant conservation values remaining.
Fauna:
None of special significance.
CULTURAL VALUES:
Historical:
The main valley running north to the Pomahaka had been a travelling route by the Ngai Tahu
Maori, as evidenced by the high incidence of flax and cabbage trees. The valley floor and steeper riparian sides have been left largely undisturbed.
There is one site of particular interest to the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board that will he covered by a covenant protecting disturbance of the site. Details of this with regard its size and siting are yet to be finalised with the Department of Conservation and the Lessee.
Recreation:
The property offers very little opportunities except for passive landscape appreciation.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Public Lands Coalition, through the Department of Conservation, concurs with the DOC assessment that there is little of conservation interest.
The property was inspected by Mr Jim Russell representing the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board, and comment will be available when requested.
DESCRIPTION OF AREA TO BE FREEHOLDED:
The total farm holding is proposed, and for a full description,
refer to "General Description" earlier in this draft.
Back to ... Po 373 Whitecoomb Farm
(Official Analysis of) SUBMISSIONS FROM PUBLIC ADVERTISING
WH1TECOOMB FARM
(1) Public Access New Zealand
No known interest
(2) Federated Mountain Clubs
(a) No objection
(b) Recommend tenure change be accepted
Land and Forest- Murray Harris
(a) Shelter belts and woodlots should be replanted when harvested.
(b) The source and scale of land use capability assessments should be noted.
(c) Comments that the proposed covenant is insignificant in size and questions whether values worth protecting.
(4) Clutha District Council
No submission to make
(5) Otago Tramping & Mountaineering Club
Support proposed tenure review
DISCUSSION:
Submission (3) is the only one to be addressed.
We can comment as follows:
(a) Otago Regional Council advises that there is no compulsion to replant sheler belts or woodlots. The tenure of the land has no bearing of this. Any compulsion should have been addressed when the original Otago Catchment Board Farm Plan was agreed with the owner. It would be unreasonable impose this now.
(b) Agreed and future proposals will incorporate and bibliography.
(c) The importance of this covenant has been questioned by both Knight Frank and DOC. However it has been requested by the Ngai Tahu and the lessee is happy to allow a covenant. DOC are to take control of this area.
RECOMMENDATION:
That no change be made to the proposal as a result of public submissions.
Back to ... Po 373 Whitecoomb Farm
Knight Frank NZ Limited
Land Resources Division
25 November 1996
Public Access NZ
RD 1
OMAKAU
ATTENTION: BRUCE MASON
Dear Sir
RE: WHITECOMB FARM TENURE CHANGE - Po373
Thank you for your submission of 12 February 1996. The Commissioner of Crown Lands has approved the tenure review on Whitecomb Farm and has accepted the following recommendations.
(1) That the Commissioner accept the surrender of Po373 on either the 30 June or 31 December following the completion of survey. Necessary documentation under Section 145 of the Land Act 1948 that the whole property be preferentially allocated to the Wilden Trust under Section 51 of the Land Act 1948.
(2) That an area of approximately 10 ha (subject to survey) be protected by a registered conservation covenant on the title to protect Waahi Tapu and Waahi Taonga.
Thank you for your submission. These always prove very helpful.
Yours faithfully
T J Whittaker
Consultant
KNIGHT FRANK (NZ) LIMITED