A Transit NZ commitment to planting a recently cleared area at the Lake Hayes outlet has been welcomed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council and the Department of Conservation.

"In agreement with the DOC, Transit cleared the overgrown willows, which were causing shade problems to the state highway. Unfortunately there was no provision in the initial agreement for re-vegetation and the Council is planning a walking track through that particular area," QLDC director of parks Paul Wilson said.

The Council was undertaking some planting as part of the walkway project but neither the Council nor the Department of Conservation were in a position to undertake the required level of planting needed at the outlet.

"I met together with Transit and DOC on Monday to discuss the situation and am very pleased to say that Transit undertook to seek funding for approximately $20,000 worth of planting to insure the willows do not regenerate," Mr Wilson said.

Opus would develop a planting plan for sign off by the Council and DOC.

"At this stage the public can expect to see the willow re-growth sprayed in the spring and possibly a second time later in the year, followed by planting in spring next year," Mr Wilson said.

Once vegetation had regenerated, DOC and the Council would undertake to replace the remaining willows with natives.

"Eventually this will become a very attractive walkway befitting such a stunning setting," Mr Wilson said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Paul Wilson 03 441 0499 or Transit Otago Regional Manager John Jarvis

By: Tamah