FMC has submitted on the Tenure review proposal for Morven Hills station. This well-known high country station was established in the 1850’s, and is known for its historic stone woolshed and its rugged faces to the east as you travel over Lindis Pass. Hear more about the stations history from  the run holder Richard Snow.

The most exciting element of the proposal for recreationalists is the opening up of the “pylon track”, an alternative route to Lindis Pass, for foot and mountain bike traffic. The proposal also continues progress towards opening up this wider area, including Oteake Conservation Park to off track recreational activities including tramping and backcountry skiing.

FMC is also impressed with the conservation provisions in the proposal, which provide appropriate recognition for both extensive pastoralism and the significant inherent values present. As always in the highcountry the challenge posed by land degradation and the resultant invasion of hieracium and other weeds is a difficult management problem.

FMC is now emphasising in all tenure review submissions that areas returned to the Crown through tenure review, which by definition have undergone an assessment for their conservation values, should receive an appropriate land classification, such as scenic reserve, ecological area or conservation park. A generic classification as stewardship land is not appropriate. Read the submission here.

This submission was completed by Peter Wilson, based on work undertaken by Mike Floate. For further information please contact Peter Wilson.