This page created 13 June 2002
Submissions by 20 July 2002
The Bridgeport Group
P O Box 12468
Thorndon
WellingtonFax 06 364 2423
Email: bport@xtra.co.nz
Background to the review
1992-1997 Management Plan (pdf to be added)
The management of Molesworth Station is an effective working partnership between Landcorp Farming (an SOE), the Department of Conservation and Land Information NZ. The Molesworth Steering Committee is, in spite of many difficult issues, satisfied that this partnership is working successfully.
The current 1992 Management Plan (MP) was released with five yearly review periods. At the end of the first five years (1997) the document was rolled-over by the Commissioner of Crown Lands (CCL) for a further five years after consultation with a wide range of interests. The terms of reference for the 1992 Management Plan included -
(for other terms of reference see page 3 of the management plan)
Farming
Farming has continued
as the main commercial activity on Molesworth providing a commercial
return to Landcorp after providing expenditure from 1994/95 to
2000/01 for weed control ($1.1m), pest control ($0.53m) and repairs
and maintenance ($0.46m).
The cattle numbers wintered during 2001 was 8,600 head. This represents 42,900 stock units. The numbers are below the stock limitation in the lease due to dry seasons. Landcorp continues to improve pastures on selected sites, especially in the Awatere Basin (see Appendix G). These developments have enabled most of the surplus stock to be finished on Molesworth.
Fertiliser is applied to these improved areas in line with recommendations following soil tests over the past seven years with $800,000 being spent on fertiliser. Despite the recent dry years, cattle performance has remained very good and Molesworth remains a profitable farming business.
Recommended Areas for Protection
(RAP)
The future management
of these areas has been central to the Molesworth Steering Committee's
(MSC) work and a recommendation on how these areas should be managed
is with the Commissioner of Crown Lands (CCL) (see attached Appendix
A). The RAP map shown in the current MP is from a preliminary
draft of the Protected Natural Areas (PNA) Survey and is little
different from the final version released in 1994.
Hieracium
This has been widespread
over all the Station for many years, being least severe in the
wetter western areas. The release and establishment of pathogens
and parasitic insects is looking promising for Molesworth, as
elsewhere in the high country. This is important for both nature
protection and production on the Station. The loss of grazing
due to Hieracium has, in part, been offset by successful pasture
improvement in appropriate areas.
Access and Road Opening
The Acheron Road openings
have continued successfully as per the Management Plan (see Appendix
B attached). Also, a wide range of recreational and scientific
activities continue outside of the road opening period. These
are arranged to work within the requirements of the farming programme,
as do the "Permit Operators". The Committee is currently
looking for ways to enhance public access and would welcome comment
on this issue.
Monitoring
Reading of existing
sites has recently been carried out and written up in a report
for the Department of Conservation - (see attached Appendix C).
This monitoring program for the condition of RAP's was set up
by Otago University in 1989 with the methods and responsibility
being handed over to DOC in 2001. Photo points established as
long ago as 1944 have also been redone and soon to be released
to the MSC. Monitoring on some sites where grazing is to continue
within RAPs has yet to be put in place.
Wilding Trees
While both DOC and Landcorp
Farming have carried out concentrated and extensive work on wildings
for a number of years the problem continues to concern those with
management responsibilities and observers alike. Because of this
concern, the MSC commissioned a report from Forest Research Institute
(Nick Ledgard 1998) on how best to cope with the wilding problems
(See attached Appendix D). As a result of this report an added
impetus and resources have been placed on control. The possibility
of an effective herbicide spray for wilding control gives added
weight to the possibility of enhanced progress.
Weed Control
The invasion of Broom
on the Station, particularly in the Clarence valley, has required
major annual expenditure. While good control has been maintained
on the river flats and lower hills some less productive intractable
areas remain and are beyond economic reality to control, except
in areas of high conservation value where maintenance work will
continue. A constant seed source from the Styx River into the
Clarence valley makes the control of the riverbed / flats infestation
very expensive for both the Crown (under LINZ), DoC and Landcorp
Farming. Both Sweetbrier and Gorse also need constant attention,
especially to maintain stock access in the case of Sweetbrier.
Pest Control
Rabbits - Without doubt
the most significant ecological event of the last decade on Molesworth
has been the control of rabbits. In the early 1 990s the gradual
breakdown of traditional control methods led to a crisis point
in control. The arrival of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)
completely reversed this situation to the point where only low
level control and monitoring has been required.
The MSC, DOC and Landcorp Farming accept the current position as possibly only a window of opportunity to shift past resources to other areas and a resurgence of rabbit problems is a real possibility. Prior to RHD, the expenditure on rabbit control was similar to that on weeds annually.
Canadian Geese; for comment on control of these birds see the Fish & Game report at Appendix F attached.
TB vector control work on possums, ferrets and more latterly pigs are an important part of annual pest management on Molesworth. Recent stock management changes supported by modern vector testing analysis is enabling a positive impact to be made on this problem. Management is now better placed to understand the processes at work on the land and take appropriate actions.
Goat control - see DOC Report, Appendix E attached.
Historic Buildings
The protection and maintenance
of a number of historic buildings on Molesworth continues, namely
the Old Cob Cottage (at Homestead) and the Acheron Accommodation
House. The main homestead and the Tarndale Homestead (both still
in use) are historic buildings. Also, DOC has identified the original
Tarndale site at the mouth of Horse Gully near the Finger Post.
These sites are of significant cultural importance in the marking
and use of the old route from Nelson to Canterbury through Molesworth.
Recreation Permits
There are currently
10 Recreation Permits issued that allow commercial use of part
of Molesworth for tourism / recreational type activities. Nine
of these Recreation Permits allow the use of both the Clarence
Upper Wairau Road and the Molesworth Acheron Road with the remaining
permit covering only the Molesworth Acheron Road. Three new applications
have recently been received and are currently being processed
whilst a further Recreation Permit has recently expired. This
is a similar pattern to most years.
Recreation Permit application
process
The following is a brief
summary of the current process applying to applications for Recreation
Permits on Molesworth.
Appendices
A. Report on Recommended
Areas for Protection
B Road Opening Trend Report
C. Changes in vegetation structure and composition - Abstract
D. Wilding Tree Report: Summary page
E. DOC Report
F Fish and Game Report
G Farming - map showing improved pasture areas
Protection work for nature conservation was begun in the late 1980's and was continued under the interim Molesworth Protected Natural Areas (PNA) Survey Report until 1994 when the final Report was released. At this stage the Molesworth Steering Committee (MSC) began progressively working towards an overall Protection Plan for the Station. Each of the Recommended Areas for Protection (RAP) was considered in relation to the objectives of the Management Plan and within the terms of the Lease
The MSC has recommended a range of protection mechanisms from total destocking with the land passing to DOC, to land remaining within the lease with the traditional extensive status quo grazing pattern to remain. Some small areas have been removed from the RAPs with others added including one separate new area. In the main this has been done to facilitate the need for practical geographic boundaries between protected and grazing areas. Also from a practical view point there is need to keep fencing and flood gates to a minimum as Molesworth is both a snow and flood prone area, especially in the west where most protection fencing is required.
In coming to its conclusions the MSC has had to consider many legal and practical factors including the Management Plan's requirement for "the need for both commercial and non-commercial objectives to be pursued though a management strategy that recognises maintenance of soil and water values as the primary goal".
Protection decisions have been made in the knowledge that 50 years of status quo grazing has been in place and that this will remain unless otherwise agreed to by the MSC and the CCL. Equally the MSC recognises the need to protect a range of eco systems/habitats without any grazing regardless of opinions as to whether grazing is appropriate or not.
In summary - of the 54,000ha in 25 RAPs the MSC has recommended that approximately 1,590ha be removed, 755ha to be added and that 4,930ha be allowed to remain under the current extensive status quo grazing system. Some of the 4,930ha may also be destocked if resources become available and it is considered appropriate in the future. Some 12km of protection fencing has been completed with a further 12km yet to be constructed.
Since the summer of 1987, the Acheron Road linking the Awatere Valley to Hanmer Springs, has been open to the public for 6-7 weeks in January / February. In 1998 and 2001 the road did not open due to extreme fire hazard on the station and in one other year an early closure has been necessary for the same reasons, Flash flooding has required temporary closure on two other occasions but for only short periods.
Public use of the road has remained relatively constant since 1987. Peaks of use have occurred in years following a closure due to dry conditions. Interest has been constant and patronage generally well behaved, inexperience and speed being the greatest concerns. Signs and interpretation information has been maintained by DOC and with welcome assistance from volunteers.
A summary of user statistics is below:
|
YEAR |
VEHICLES |
PEOPLE |
|
1988 |
1190 |
3326 |
|
1989 |
941 |
2728 |
|
1990 |
1101 |
3355 |
|
1991 |
1397 |
3834 |
|
1992 |
2075 |
5400 |
|
1993 |
1683 |
4622 |
|
1994 |
1519 |
4093 |
|
1995 |
1373 |
3985 |
|
1996 |
1926 |
4721 |
|
1997 |
1818 |
4700 |
|
1998 |
0 |
0 |
|
1999 |
1565 |
4039 |
|
2000 |
2490 |
6390 |
|
2001 |
0 |
0 |
|
2002 |
3253 |
7509 |
| TOTAL |
22, 331 |
58,702 |
Note that in 1998 and 2001 the road was closed due to f re danger and in 1999 the road was closed 2 weeks earlier due to fire danger.
Abstract from a report prepared for the Department of Conservation
Nineteen height-frequency transects, focussing on vascular plant species, were established in Molesworth Station (Island Pass, Sedgemere and Oyster RAPS) in November 1989 and February 1990 as a result of the Balaclava, Sedgemere and Dillon Protected Natural Areas survey. All were resurveyed in 1995 and again in 2001. This report details the results of monitoring in 2001. Species with significant changes in biomass are identified. Floristic change since 1989 has been relatively slow. Turnover of species has largely been of those species with small biomass indices. With a few exceptions the important structural species in 1989 remained structurally important in 2001. There were no significant changes in species richness. Analysis of grazing effects in paired transects did not reveal any clear trends. Mouse-eared hawkweed Hieracium pilosella was the most consistent increase, increasing in 11 transects. However, the proportion of exotic species did not change significantly in any transect.
FRI - N Ledgard 1998
Objectives
The major objective
is to report on:
a) Present situation
b) Future situation
c) Management / control options and costs, with recommendations.
Method
Four days (January 12-15,
1998) were spent on Molesworth specifically to look at the spread
situation, and to build on field experience gathered from a number
of visits to look at forestry matters over the past 20 years.
Much of the station was only seen during a 2-hour helicopter inspection.
Discussions were held with the station manager and his wife, Don
and Ann Reid, plus the Steering Committee chairman, Hamish Ensor.
Main findings
Main recommendations
Goat Control
For many years both NZ Forest Service and the Department of Conservation have conducted goat control operations on Molesworth. Objectives have been to reduce numbers and prevent goats spreading on to country west of the Acheron River, and to lower numbers to the east.
Ground hunting and aerial shooting are the techniques used. Some 6800 goats and 200 pigs have been culled since 1991. Confinement of goats to the east of the Acheron River and lowering of numbers has been largely successful.
Population trends are difficult
to gauge due to variations in resources and effort from year to
year. Increased aerial work in recent years plus some culling
by Landcorp staff has resulted in higher kills. To reduce numbers
down to a "low maintenance" level will require more
resources and a constant effort.
Weeds
Weed Threat to RAPs
In the 2001/2002 financial
year a "Weeds Threat Analysis" for the "Recommended
Areas for Protection"[RAPs] on Molesworth has been carried
out by DOC and is in the process of being written-up. This document
will provide direction for future weed control within the RAPs.
Wilding Pines are the greatest threat to botanical and landscape values on Molesworth. The Department has concentrated on removing Scots Pine from Sedgemere RAP. This is now achieved and will require ongoing maintenance but to a lesser degree in future. Major work has now moved to the Leaderdale (Edwards-Muntz RAP 8).
Removal of scattered single trees and small groups has been given priority recently (based on Forest Research Report). Combined Landcorp/DOC operations have worked over all country east of the Acheron River and further work is planned. DOC has been successful with a major funding bid for pine removal on Molesworth RAPs over the next three years.
Broom - Landcorp Farming has spent very large sums of money on broom control. DOC controls broom in RAP areas where practical. Co-ordination of broom control efforts by all parties is needed including LlNZ. The co-ordination role is a Regional Council function and this needs taking up with both Environment Canterbury and Marlborough District Council.
Buildings
The Department of Conservation maintains fourteen buildings on Molesworth ranging from toilets to historic structures plus numerous signs and interpretation panels. These are all inventoried through the Department's "Visitor Asset Management System" (YAMS) and will all eventually be lifecycle modelled.
Significant restoration work has been carried out on Molesworth Cob Cottage and Acheron Accommodation House by South Marlborough Area Staff and North Canterbury Historic Places Trust respectively, ably assisted by willing volunteers through the Department's Volunteer Holiday Programme.
| Name | Type |
| Island Gully Hut | Category 4 hut/bivvy |
| Island Gully Toilet | Toilet |
| Molesworth Cob Cottage | Other Building |
| Molesworth Toilet | Toilet - dry vault |
| Molesworth Toilet | Toilet - pit |
| Elliot Bivvy (WAC) | Animal Control Hut |
| Glouster Hut (Flyable) | Animal Control Hut |
| Lake McRae Hut | Animal Control Hut |
| Rough Creek Hut (WAC) | Animal Control Hut |
| Acheron Camp Rangers Toilet | Toilet - Pit |
| Acheron Camp Toilet | Toilet - Pit |
| Sedgemere Toilet | Toilet - Pit |
| Sedgemere Sleepout (Public) | Catergory 4 hut/bivvy |
| Sedgemere Chalet | Staff Accommodation |
Freshwater: Survey for Tarndale Bully in the Sedgemere tarns. (Has occurred twice)
Invertebrates: Incidental observations during other work, eg, Speargrass weevil
Terrestrial vertebrates: Lizard survey in the Upper Wairau and Upper Clarence catchments (one targeted survey and other incidental records, area also used for training)
Flora: Survey and monitoring for:
Leptinella filiformis One survey around Molesworth Homestead
- unsuccessful
Lazula celata One survey in Upper Awatere, no new populations
found, one existing population
exists on Muller Airstrip
Gentiana "Barefell" One survey on Barefell Range, Good
sized population found.
Ischnocarpus novae-zelandiae One survey covering Mt Chisholm,
Blinkers Saddle and tributary to
Saxton, plants found at last two sites and monitoring established
in the Saxton
Craspedia"tarn", Oryeomyrrhis "bog", Oreomyrrhis "delicatula", Pseudognaphalium "compactum " Euchiton affsphaericus, Cardamine "tarn". All these species are monitored at the Ephemeral tarn beside the Rainbow Rd at Sedgemere. Since commencement of monitoring an exotic sedge Carex ovalis appears to be smothering communities and some herbicide trials have been established to determine best method of control. Other incidental threatened species record are also recorded during the above surveys and monitoring.
The Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Council (F & G) is the statutory body for managing acclimatised fish and gazetted game species and works in with Landcorp Farming to carry out its functions.
Canadian geese are a game bird but can become a problem in the high country if numbers are high. They have been controlled on Molesworth by organised recreational hunting since the early 1980's. Some 800-1000 hunter visits occur annually over three organised hunts which have been largely successful in keeping numbers below the "trigger level" specified in the South Island Canada Goose Management Plan. These control shoots were in place prior to that Plan and to some extent were the 'model' for the wider South Island Plan. The hunts are organised by the Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Council that has a safety plan in place covering the hunt.
Chukor, or the Himalayan Mountain Quail, are also present on Molesworth but have declined in numbers during the 1990's from unknown causes. F&G has removed them from the licence until such time as the population increases and better information is available to manage them. Mallard and grey duck, and paradise shelduck occur on the property and can be hunted during the hunting season subject to access permission being obtained.
Molesworth has some valuable but very sensitive back country streams. Trout and salmon are sought after on the property by licenced anglers. The upper Clarence above the Acheron confluence and the Tarndale lakes are open to angler access but the Acheron and its headwaters require Landcorp access permission unless anglers walk on the "marginal strip". The total numbers of anglers using the property is not known but due to the sensitive nature of these back country streams, use needs to be monitored.