The containment of wilding conifers, which pose a threat to the unique landscape and native vegetation of the district, was one of the actions set out in the Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Strategy, Ms O'Brien said.
Control would be done by helicopter application of herbicide spray.
"The 30 hectare zone being targeted is private rural farmland, well away from any urban area."
Queenstown was renowned for its visual landscapes and the wilding component could "very rapidly and significantly change that", she said.
"Left unmanaged, the various species such as Douglas fir will dominate tussock land, replacing the natives with a dense impenetrable forest of pine trees.
"This takes away the opportunities that we currently enjoy with our indigenous flora and fauna and the open high country tussock scenery."
Management was essential for the long-term interests of New Zealand's premier resort town and Queenstown Hill was a "high priority management unit" because it was commonly used for recreation and was highly visual throughout the resort.
"If the wildings are permitted to continue, tracks would become increasingly shaded and views towards the mountains and the lakes would be lost."
The goal of the operation was to create a containment line by spraying the dense infestation of pines.
The method had already been used with success by the Department of Conservation at Mount Aurum Reserve and the mouth of Lewis Creek (Long Gully).
The strategy had cost a significant amount.
Total expenditure from 2004 to 2008 by QLDC, Doc and landowners was about $1 million.
The cost of the Queenstown Hill job would be divided evenly between QLDC, Doc, and the landowner.
"The establishment of the containment line means that future efforts will concentrate on keeping the area above the line clear of pines," Ms O'Brien said.
A short term "drawback" of the spray was the "unsightly and obvious" strip of standing dead trees.
However, that was a small price to pay, compared with the potential dispersal of millions of seeds which would cover the landscape.
"Wilding control work has been carried out for many years around the district, normally out of view, but because the Queenstown Hill work is more visible to the public it will create a greater need for awareness," Ms O'Brien said.
