Wakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG) co-chairman Peter Willsman, of Queenstown, made the comment yesterday when asked for the charitable group's reaction to Dr Smith's pledge this week Doc will carry out all operational work to help the group deliver on its $5 million, five-year plan.
''It's good news, because Doc and, in particular, [ranger and WCG operations manager] Jamie Cowan, have technical and relation work skills,'' Mr Willsman said.
''It's significant, but WCG is paying for it. Doc has put their $190,000 into WCG, but WCG is putting $126,000 into Doc to run the project.''
Mr Willsman said it was ''a very positive meeting'' of more than 60 volunteers, district councillors, Doc rangers and Dr Smith at the Skyline Gondola premises on Wednesday.
''It was a resounding confirmation for landowners, sponsors and the community in recognising the conifer threat and WCG as tackling the problem,'' Mr Willsman said.
Participants were welcomed by Mr Willsman and co-chairman Grant Hensman, also of Queenstown, who gave an overview of funding arrangements and of where work was to be carried out.
Group manager Briana Pringle and Mr Cowan gave a presentation on the progress so far. Their operations summary said 8700ha of the Wakatipu basin was treated at a cost of $600,700 in 2012-13.
Slightly less ground was covered for slightly more money the year before, when 7300ha was treated at $637,800.
However, the group's ambitions are far greater for 2013-14. It is targeting 30,000ha for treatment, at a cost of $1.3 million, the first year of the five-year offensive.
The faces of Coronet Peak, Skippers and Five Mile Creek are among the areas earmarked.
The Central Lakes Trust contributed the most, at 40% of that operational sum for work in the field. Land Information New Zealand gave 33.7%, the district council 9.8%, landowners 6%, Doc 5%, Skyline Enterprises 3.7% and 1.7% from lottery funding last year.
The group's next volunteer day to clear wilding pines on Ben Lomond is November 16.
Free helicopter transport to and from the site is arranged for volunteers prepared to complete a day's work pulling out pines.
