Trees being removed

Thirty-two large Douglas fir trees at the Glendhu Bay camping ground, west of Wanaka, are being felled this week for safety reasons.

Queenstown Lakes District Council general manager community services Paul Wilson said the trees had reached the end of their natural life.

They were brittle and there had been ''a couple of near misses'' when large branches had broken off and landed on tents and vehicles.

Contractors were removing the trees at no cost to the council. The council will plant shade and blossom trees in the place of the Douglas firs.