5 Sep 2012

Douglas fir plantations not wanted

10:25 am on 5 September 2012

Conservationists in Central Otago are considering legal action to try to stop two douglas fir plantations on the Lammermoor Range.

Landcorp has put similar plantations at Waipori Station on hold because of the risk of the introduced trees spreading on the landscape.

The plantations for carbon credits are on a private farm at the site of Meridian Energy's planned Project Hayes wind farm which was cancelled after the Environment Court ruled the area was a nationally important landscape.

The Central Otago Environment Society says it is considering taking Central Otago District Council to judicial review for approving the 90 hectare forests without notifying the public.

The district plan now deems the area an Outstanding Natural Landscape.