A charitable trust deed for the Otago Wilding Tree Trust is considered "highly risky" in part by the Otago Regional Council, which will not be joining it.
The regional council considered the trust deed on Thursday and expressed concerns over its form, before deciding not to endorse the document, although it noted its support for the formation of the trust, which was an initiative of the region's Mayoral Forum.
The trust's aim was to oversee and liaise with groups to eradicate wilding trees in Otago and to lobby for funding support.
The council had considered a draft deed at an earlier meeting and suggested amendments, only some of which were incorporated in the final deed considered yesterday.
Cr David Shepherd said he had real concerns about some clauses, such as one allowing the trust an overdraft or to borrow funds.
"That is highly risky. If you can't raise the funds, you don't do the work. I couldn't endorse it, as it stands," he said.
Cr Duncan Butcher said there were things in the deed that should not be in a local government-funded trust deed.
Cr Michael Deaker said he saw the council's involvement in the trust as similar to its support of the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust.
The region as a whole needed to make a concerted effort to control wilding trees but he had reservations about the trust deed and did not believe the council needed to be part of it.
The council decided its offer of $10,000 towards the formation of a trust still stood, but subject to agreement and following its formal establishment.
