Conservation reserves extended extra 1200ha

White’s Hut, about 5km from Mitchell’s Cottage, is seen on a foggy day in Central Otago. The hut is part of a new 45ha historic reserve near the Kopuwai Conservation Area, which has recently been extended following tenure review. The Flat Top Hill conservation area has also been extended. Photo: DOC.

The Flat Top Hill conservation area has been extended by 337ha, from 813ha to 1150ha; and the Kopuwai conservation area has been extended by 890ha, from 11,400ha to 12,290ha.

Department of Conservation (Doc) Alexandra senior community ranger Trudy Anderson said both parcels of land had come from Obelisk Station through the tenure review process.

Another 45ha of land from Obelisk Station had been turned into a "mini historic reserve" surrounding the historic White’s Cottage, which was 5km along Symes Rd from Mitchell’s Cottage.

Mrs Anderson said the new zoning would both help protect native species and make more land accessible to the public.

The Flat Top Hill area, in particular, was well used by mountain bikers, and Doc was working with the Mountain Bikers of Alexandra group to build more mountainbiking trails there.

pam.jones@odt.co.nz