Republished from the Wanaka App 12th October 2026
The Upper Clutha Wilding Tree Group (UCWTG) has welcomed a significant increase in funding from the government.
Securing government funding via the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for the Wānaka Management Unit for the first time, alongside continued support for the Luggate Management Unit, was a “major milestone”, group chair Rob Phillips said.
“The UCWTG is well positioned to accelerate its work removing wildings from the Upper Clutha and save money in the longer term,” he said.
Read more: ‘Greater scale’ of wilding pine control ahead
Rob said the three‑year commitment provides stability and enables long‑term planning.
A flexible framework divides the three management units into operational sub‑zones; establishes priority according to species, age/coning, risk of spread etc; provides costings and long‑term projections; and supports adaptive management as conditions change.
“This plan will guide UCWTG’s efforts for the next decade and ensure continuity across projects and partnerships,” Rob said.
The group’s annual report showed the past year was a period of strong operational delivery, stable funding, and deepened community engagement.
Six major wilding conifer control operations were completed across the Upper Clutha (Timaru Creek, Glen Dene Station/Craigburn, Mt Burke Station/Mt Maude, Dublin Bay, Peninsula Bay and the Golspie Burn).
The operations collectively removed more than 13,000 wilding conifers across nearly 9,000ha of the Upper Clutha.
Rob said aerial surveys of Luggate and Queensbury further strengthened the group’s planning and mapping capability.
He said funding from both Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Otago Regional Council (ORC) are pivotal to the group’s success. ORC provides the procurement and management of contractors, and UCWTG volunteers liaise with landowners then work closely with ORC as they manage the operations
The group’s annual report said volunteer engagement has remained important for the group, with more than 210 hours spent on local tracks and reserves, control of conifers and invasive exotics, and increased volunteer enquiries.