PARTS: NATURAL CHARACTER5 ANALY NATURAL CHARACTER 5.1 Introduction ‘Natural character, or the degree of naturalness, was assessed fr each landscape charactor ‘area and river section 5.11 Context ‘The context for assessment was the whole rver condor, rom the Lake Wanaka outlet to the ‘20a at Kattangeta. High landscape character inthis context includes landscapes where there is a precominance of natural eloments in nalral patios, and where naturel processes are ‘shaping the landscape; but processes that ae natural in efoct but cultural induced euch as bbuming and grazing have aso affected these landscapes, along wih less natural processes such a8 aerial over-sowing and topdressing (AOSTD). No sections of the river landscape coidor could be described as having high natural ‘character n a regional conixt = there are no sections with the degree of natural charactor Present in the westem ranges (eg, Mt Aspiring National Part). All sectons have Deen Stected fo some degree by human ectity ranging from extensive pastoraism through 19 more intensive land uses such as inigetod pasture, vineyards and orchards, and urban 45.2 Natural Character ofthe Clutha River (in-stream and banks) “The rivet body and its channel are natural in Visual character for vitually their whole length through the Central Otago District, but no part of the rver is completely natural. Hydo- lactic power developmenthas affected the river in all sections From the Hawea River down (due othe Lake Hawea Contol Stucture) the flows inthe river ‘are modified from their natural regime. Lakes Dunstan and Roxburgh are hydro lakes, limpounded behind the Clyce and Roxburgh dams respectively. The fw downstieam of the «dams is more modfied than the low inthe Upper Clutha Reaches. ‘Apart from the obvious effects on natural character due tothe ‘dams thomseWves, there sre other landscape effects 35 3 resut of modification of flow and impoundment such 3 {rosion of lake shorelines 2s the land.water interface seeks ‘ew equilrium (ave photo to right, steam bank erosion (an issue in places downstream of the Roxburgh Dam); sediment build up in the lakes and atthe lake heads (eq, dota area between the Linds River and Lake Dunstan; at Frenchman's Point by Alexandra) but these processes aro stil natural in appearance. They can occur naturally. for example, if a major landslide dammed the Cromwell Gorge. Itis concluded most people would perceive the iver and the lakes that have replaced the river in parts as natural features, ‘and signiieant ones at that Even so, for those poople who wore involved with or who have knowledge of the controversial history of the hydro development and memories of what ‘existed before the developnent, sections ofthe ver may not embody the same degree of naturalness as It 600s for people who do not share this Background. This is reflected inthe tite of Paul Powell's book Who Kiled the Clutha?” “the recreational enhancement of the hydro lakes cannot replace the recreational 54values ofthe river converted (0 a lhe especialy where large areas of natural lake already ‘vist (OCB and RWE 1866). ‘There are localised less natural effects largely as a result of hydro development. The two dams are substantial man-made structures, most obvious in up-steam views (Roxburgh Dam ‘shown in phote below). The immediate environs of the dams are generally modified by ‘earthworks, splay and channel revetment stucture, elecrcal infrastructure and pylon lines leading in and out, various fads, and a collecton of bulcings including a vilege at the Roxburgh Dam, Lookouts, picnic areas, boat launching facies, and" tree planing» features around both ‘ams In the Cromwell Gorge, parts of the lake edge are ‘obvious man-made embankments with a geometric form ‘and boulder composition, proviing the base for the highway a wol as stabilsaton ofthe lance tes (see photote right, Picnic areas with themsd site fumiture (picnic. tables, rubbish bins, signage and occasionally toll Blocks and boat leunching facies) and shingle access roads have been created along the Lake Dunstan shoreline in plaoss, with ‘sk sites dotted along the 13.5km ‘easter shoreline above Cromwell {ee photo to right), Earthworks to create grassed areas of geile topography and shingle beaches, and amenity ‘ree planting (in naturalistic groupings) alco characterise these ameniyirecreation areas, especialy fom Cromwel to Lowbum arcund the westem shoreline 52Similarly lookout and monument areas with expanses of seal and man made stuctures (Gariors, rubbish tins, signe and interpretation panels) detract from natural character Partculaiy where litter accumulates (a bad liter problem was observed at the Hartey and Reilly Memoria (soe photos below. Both picnic and lookout areas however provide the means for peope to access the ver landscape both visually” and, physicaly. “They are ‘expected facies inthe river landscape, These factors tend to moderate the adverse effect ‘on natural character, or make it more acceptable. People can be inte landscape rater than looking at it Relic ree planting from pretake times can aso appear unnatural ast related to @ landscape {hat i now largely beneath the lake waters, An example i the Jackson Orchard relict frit ‘ree planting in the Cromwell Gorge. Such plantings have value in their reference to past landscapes however, tthe history ofthe area — a touchstone for landscapes past. ‘Suctures over or alongside the river such as bridges, pump sheds ‘and Irigation intakes (see photo let), water level markers, jeties, land cableways detract from natural Character but re usualy very Tosalsed in effect Biidges however are generally large structures with @ more ‘extensive visual influence, There are seven bridges spanning the for in the Central Otago District, each ofa different style. Some are paired with rect piers ftom earier bridges, These siructures ‘enorally have sesthetc appeal or nave significance as landmarks Sr engineered features, andlor 8s local features inured in the local ‘community. In some case their structure and colour can enhance haturalcharacter through complementary visual contrast. The ‘bridges are not considered to detract significant from natural character, and are recognised {for their unique character and cultural and heritage values. Miers Flat bridge let; Roxburgh bridge rightyon Ines are more of a visual intrusion, 26 much for. their own. large scale industrial flavoured structure as forthe condor of cleared vegetation where they passthrough tee cover. ‘The effects of alluvial gold mining are another ‘major effect on natural character. Hand methods in the 1880-1880/00 period modtied many Sections of river bed and bank leaving linear and Conical mounds of talings and sluiced banks {Goo photo lowor le, tangs at Doctors Poin). Mechanical dredging caused more extensive modification, the largest area being the Eamscleugh Talings, which are the result of at least four diferent dredging activities over time. Some river terace lanaforms were completely demolished such a at Frenchmans Point “The resultant landscape is one of chaotic 0 repetitively patlered man-made. topograptiy Comprised of larger rocks and boulders which, ‘ven atter decades, have ite soll and very sparse cover, Dotted through some areas of tings ae relict stone shelters and cottages, remains of stone walls, water races and small reservors and pieces of rusted machinery and artifacts. The talings have the most signticant impact on natural character, the otter evidence ofthe 19 ‘century gold mining era tends to be very small scale and localised and being largely ‘consitucted in stone, biends in very wel wit the local topography. These elements are now highly regarded for their hertage value. ‘Stone walled water race rermants and stone cottage relits at Doctors Point, Roxburgh Gorge 54A specie feature of the Clutha River trough the dist are the singers of willows which are almost unversaly present along both sides of the ver, offen ‘only one tree thick. The basin floor areas. ‘are most thickly lined, the gorge areas: havea lower level of stinger evelopment. These are mainly. crack wilows ‘which can. and have. spread vegetatively at a phenomenal rate. They were orginally planted to stabilise the river banks and alleviate flooding, and no doubt to make more beaut the ty looking, ‘generally treeiess landscape, No native Species spreads in this way and the ‘outcome even though a natal process is culturally inducad ang has an unnatural outcome. ‘The presence of wilows isa key visual cue tothe presence ofthe river but they also make it lic to appreciate the iver especialy from highway viewpoints on the basin floors. ‘5.3 Natural Character of the Primary Setting Natural charactors present in vanying degrees throughout the river landscape corridor. Most ‘sections were assessed as having moderate to high natural character (within the context of the river comidor landscape}, due to prevalence of pastoral faring asthe land use, “There is a cstinct pater to the presence of greater and lesser natural character. The areas of lover dgres nti character atest wih areas of righer natal caret as Section Natural Character 1. Sandy Pointo Maon'Poit high (basin oor 2 Mar Paint o Cromwell ow In nodes, moderate, (basin Noor ana i). igh 3 Cromwell Gorge igh (rout ange gore) 4 Cry to Alexa rmoserataytw (@asin oon 5 Roxburgh Gorge ih (i county come) © Roxturgh Damto Roxburgh moderately ow (hy developed basin oo) 7 Roxburgh o Erick ‘moderate (ghiydevetoped basin Noo) 8 EtvektoMinzien Bum low, maderte(sighily (Geveloped besn for, some higher degre) th eounty) 8 Minzion Burn te Beaumont moderately high Lower degrees of natural earactr typify the more highly developed basin floor areas, with the exception ofthe Upper Cutha besin floor upstream of Lake Dunstan which has a higher degree of natural character throughout. Natural elements are predominant (except in the 55buit.up areas) but they are arranged in artical patisms and affected by cultural processes. ‘Typleal basi lor landscape ~ Roxburgh Dam to Roxburgh section ‘Typical land uses are orcharding, vineyards, irigated pastoralsm and intensive grazing, “These typically use exotic species indigenous species are uncommon on basin floor areas, usualy restrcted to areas of rough terrain or stream sides, where it is not practical 10 Caltvat) in mono-cuttures and in ordered pattems. A patchwork of rectlinear land parcels of sture, feed crop, vines oF fut trees sbched together wit roads and mono-specificsholtor bats of poplar, alder and conifer covers most basin flor areas. Processes shaping the land are callurally induced and occur in regular seasonal patter (og., spraying, harvest, Caulvation and sowing, Inigaion, shearing of sheep, lambing), There are more cultural ‘elements - roads, buildings (domestic and uty), powerlines, fences, vehicies, and people. Gold mining tangs and medem gravel extraction pis ae als found on the basin floors and setac rom natural character Higher degrees of natural charactor typily the sections of river landscape in gorpe andl ill ‘country, where extensive pasteralism and nature conservation land use predominates, The Roxburgh Gorge has the highest degree of natural character. Roxburgh Gorge 36“These land uses are basec on the existing indigenous vegetation (short tussock grassland ‘ard scrubfwoodland communities). There is litle culvaton and enclosures ere much bigger, Dlocks of tens te hundreds ef hectares. Cultural elements ae relatively scarce. Roading and access tracking tend to be the most ‘obvious features, ‘Tracking in the Beaumont Gorge Tracking inthe Cromwell Gorge Relative to high atiude ard westem range areas within the region, these areas of lower Fange lend and hil country east of the main divide aro heaviy modiied though repeated buring, grazing and AOSTD as well a tracking and fencing and cccasional exotec tree planing. Only vestiges ofthe incigencus cover remain — patches of matagour, grey scrub, Kanuka, broom; occasional Koval and cabbage ees; scattered and stunted short tussock, various smaller herb and rrat plants and grasses; flax, sedge, rushes and toe too in wettor areas. Some places have a stronger indigenous character such as the Bengo and {Queensberry Kanuka areas and the Kanuka woodland in the Beaumont Gorge, although in the lator there has boon exancive spraying klling large swathes. ‘Some processes are natural in the way they work such as burning and grazing but they ‘occur at an unnatural frequency and are culluraly Induced. Over processes. are more ‘ariel such as AOSTD and spraying, tracking and fencing. ‘Compared to the basin floor areas however, these areas have a substantial dominance of ‘natural elements existng in natural pates. ‘The lowest natural character exists In and around the buittup areas of Cromwol, Clyde, ‘Agxandra, Roxburgh Dam, Roxourgh and Milers Flat. These are relatively discreet nodes of tow natural character. ‘There Is also @ cross-sectional pattem present in the basin floor reas, "The vor channel and immediate bank areas generaly have a relatively high natural character Land on the basin floors around the river is usually Fighty developed win a lower degree of alu character [Beyond that, inthe remainder of the viewshed - which is typical hill and high range country rising fo subalpine levels. - natural characteris stronger. It increases. in strength with altiude as improved. exotic pasture with varying short tussock and scrub presence gives way 10 snow lussack and subalpine shrub, fell, cushion and mat plant 57‘and bog communities and there are relatively few fences and structures. ‘The exception to tis patie is the Upper Clutha section, where there Is a continuum of natural character from river channel to range crest. The basin oor remains in a relatively Undeveloped state due to dyness and exposure, ‘The Upper Clutha basin natural landscape continuum from rver to range crest 5.4 Threats to Natural Character For each section, land use activities and processes of landscape change that did not support fetention or enhancement of natural character were Wenbied. These are collectively as follows: (Spraying and baring of waody [Decreases natura! exent of wndgenous woody cover (nally ‘anuka shrubland) and replaces t wih exote grass and clover ‘Edges of sprayed areas can be unnatural snd incor. and shapes of ‘sprayed areas can be gometic ad relate pool to landform. Los ‘of woody eover alos fauna presen. xtc grass is regarded 25 fess natal than shubland especialy ried sublands. Extensive ‘spraying of kan visual prominent in the Beaumont Gore Burning oFTssock "The process is not co widespread in the river landscape odor ‘Most tsoek ands inthe corr already havo 9 sparso tussock (over and ae unel 0 requ buming. A lero bum afectod the [rue othe Rexburg Gorge the 1900s. Bung causes loss of| Itussock caver and assodatedstrublonds largely due to the grea) that otcurs atowars, fore the vegelalon as a chance to ‘recover 8s vialty.Exabe grass and herb species replace nave (over evertualy ‘Grazing "The main effet of prazng i the maintenance ofa shor grassland (cover instead of woay caver or tussock cover. Heavy browsing can [cause the disappearance of tussock land and woedy spoces, of [prevent reponoration ofthese species causing hem ulate to de out "The development of ‘wii the Aver landscape corr fr| Producien [Tice ang Tnsenetve Fence Lines (arial ver sowing and paressing) more intensive land use such as ingated pasture, orchards, [vineyards an day farming would Nave a sigifean eect on natrl character primary by relacing naturally pattem elrents| lit unnatural ‘patemed.eloments and. iveducng unnatural processes. Most of the elements would be natural tut nave lgpesies would generally be replaced wih exate species. There| "would be’ greater presenen of curs ements sh ae fences, ty sheds, vine and orchard support sures, ume houses an irigates, ei. The development of rigation schemes fr the ey cas IE a poteialy sipnifeant adverse process of landscape change. Tae spec open ery landscape charactor and Senso of rometaness weuld dstppear and a number of raze snd tinoarmon species of pants and insets would vanish, Ths change {woul be reverse {tle shoud be prevented Hom accessing the vor and se) reduction foes 5 patel land use over to hil country ‘maker cimate near Beaumon, replacing pastoral use. This woud Ihave the eect of replacing nate ana woodiand cove, hough Is cover coud return to cea felled areas This would probably not le an sue Hf tere was oppouniy forth teas to evaWve to 8 lpodocarbecchvmxed hardwood cover where the exabe spaces land Kanuka would provide a nurse crop. [Sma woodots on hil county can ave an adverse effect where Iney are olstod, perched on open Tisides, and untested to atom pater "These are often wsensivey Sted end consiuced coating stoniant sual sears g2 much tough dumping ot spoon te [downhil side as he cut isl. Two partuly dograded areas duc to tacking arin th Cromwell Gorge (dowstear tue right) and in the Beeumeont Gaye (downstream er MoCunns Beach) Fence ines detract from neural charactor where the do notre {fo landtoom and resukn unr changes In lard Gover, ten 2 lebrupt cheng In ealour and testi, Blaed fence tines (rough ora eva unnatraines, This process has the effec of changing the compoaion of the ond cover sbstiuing Indigenous species (and some ext species) | gooner paste grasses, hers ard cover and mere isa loss lt tussock and sors caver a9 stock browsing tnzeuses. The lutcome is changos in colour end texcuro and asimpeaion oe [ot pater asthe ser are tussock component his ou Wing Troe and Pest Pant Spread Nanna | Gravel Erection na Auval Gravel pis are Sgniicant dogradors of natural character. Surface! dng pines are an issue onthe il othe southeast of Alexandra ‘and in the Gromvell Gorge, Whit they are anal lemert sha [patoms of dtbuton ave natural, and wing spread is 2 natural [roces, the outcome of uncorraled wlding Speed Is os of nave [rastand and sou epocies and tus los ntual characte. \Xsimiar ets causel by Sovead of pest boom and gorso,swoet| tiie, thyme, lupins Reraouun. sor, and wilows. Some ofthese plans ae now reerded esa ‘natura’ component of he landscape| nd Indeed give t spel character, such as thyme. Prcopion of “dracon fom natural characteris largely detennines by te] {spestton and krawledge ofthe viewer ‘These species are less of a tveat To ieigencus woody pants and [probably play an important role in protecing. sal that woud [thers be bare, bu wesock prasland species may be at sk of [@andtion duet competion. cover is removed, topography i tal asturbed.and usualy nol [featorea, and coining cover tends to be dominated by exotic 549{orasses, nets and woody weeds especialy broom | Mining Tatoos Mining talings ae aso totally unnatural in appearance comprsing repetitive pate of hilocks and a coarse corgaton of ages AS {hey comprise main lage stones and boulders they afe poor sulsate for vegelaton and cover is fen sparse many decades Tater The adverse offoct on natural cherater ¢ modorated by te lage vauo ofthese remains. 'Srucures spanning herve or |A numberof aferent structures span oF exist beside the iver fonts banks Tinting tiges, tne oot swing ge at Rigney, pyon tes. Jetlas and moorings, water intakes and pump sheds, water love [measuring devices, andthe dams. ‘Theses stuctues vary in Wer scale and design and thus thet fect on naturel cheracor. The large big and dam structures Wns visually “dominant and leary manmade are vaualy Impressive an memoratie. Ther contrast withthe much rere natura sureunds ocx gorge areas, tre ined banks) can crete 8 (leasing visual image, becavse ofthe complementary jidaposton it colour form and ‘extre. As wth mining Tasngs the adverse lees on natural character(s offset by the curl values or Iertage reasons and because they are features Inued nthe focal [communis mind. [Ass general principle, the smaller th sale of the structure and the more cereet and fs sentve ts design, theless adverse effect | 'Sructures wil have on natural charactor. Many structures oly have \ecalzed weds: however these can have a sgniesnt mpact on ‘the total experience ofthe rver ser through memory of adverse Residential development |The presence of houses and gardens dose to the rer especialy hore toy are sted prominently ontop of terraces has a signiant [tect on the perception of neturl character. This spray due (| ‘aos of Sense of separation orremeteness from tings domestic, | tom pepe, vehicies and acivty. The sense of domesticaton| lundermins netural character: Ressler development iso ton to reduce. naturel character due to development of the lan] 'surounding @ residential Gwoling for more intensive production. A eae of the Pisa Moafngs subdvson Is the vesiment of te ow sp of ple reserve land between the nouses arth Icke las extensions ot private gardens, wih ree pling, mown lawns, ‘to. These areas conrast wih the mare natural ver landscape | ‘condor areas to ether sie, bordered bylontalning fam tnd ‘This is major landscape management sue fecg the Cental |Gtago and’ uconstown Lakes asics. The subdision of rural land isan atracive Rania! pon for landowners tueled by (demand for lfestlo properties and smatholings for ilensive| Ipimary proaucton such as vinoyas and ercharés, partcuaty roperties wih an. aspect over water or to maura The oo olin of land proveusly under pastoral lease sialue exposes ‘some areas to the possibly. cf subdivision and residential ‘evelopment ther using the process 'X pareuer outcome ls the le ofthe sense of open space and ‘rerteness ftom domestic activity. [Proposals for furter damming ofthe Clatha River are stil-Wwo" {hase proposals wore realise, thre would be sgnfcantundation | [ot pat ofthe river lndscape camdor. Some special natural areas ‘would be lot such as the Beaument Gorge rock gardens and he ‘ight of traces in the Upper Clue. The presence of dams and lasvocited inate, canals, ee, woulda trac rom nar | Character in major, I low changes n the existing system result in reson, remedial ark poteon measures may appear unnatural and therefore, iver Channel Medication 5|awversty fet natural charecter, Reverments below the Roxbury (dam ar an cxarpl oh, | Recreational Faciy Devotoment| "Thee are a numberof recreational flies along the Cua river lhc have an eet on natal characersomawhat sir total ‘of reslemtal development (domestication, loss of sense of remotenes). Upgrading of facies cout impact on naturel character, for ‘example, he Mallen Wack. Development of now facies could impact on natural character It [pooty sted and designed. | 5.5 Processes of Landscape Change to Retain and Enhance Natural Character “The analysis of natural character for each section included Identification of processes. of landscape change that supported retention and enhancement of natural landscape character "opportunites for natural character. "Natural character has been weekened progressively within all sections ofthe river landscape ‘corridor landscape since European setioment, to great or lesser degroes. ‘This has occurred in several ferent ways: 1 scion of non-rative pant a ies which have indigenous species “This has been through active oF deliberate displacement or introduction (through cultivation land sowing, planing of strubs and tres, aoral over-sowing, imporition and release of ‘domestic grazing mammale) and more indirect or passive Ways such as ‘escapes’ from planted hedges (gorse and broom), plantations (pina, larch), food/eosion contol plantings (witow, poplar) and gardens tryme, elderbery, sweet bre, red currant) or by accident rom ‘contaminated pasture seed (heracium, sweet vernal, thistis). Many exotic species have ttvived in the New Zealand environment and have proven an invasive and out-competing Capability far in excess of what was ever belived possible. In shor, @ number of species behaved badly and rfusedto merely sore their intonded purposes. 2 In the composi us commu ‘of 2 number of fauna) and ad inte comt Most of the more natural plant communities along the Clutha River have been heavily ‘modi through prolonged and repeated burring and grazing and through AOSTD, even the most natural gorge areas When European setfors fist explored along the Clutha the Consensus is hat there would have been extensive kanuka, Oleara and grey shrublands and ‘widespread short tussock grasslands grading into tall tussock wih altitude. The main ‘outcomes of European land use have Deen === loss of the more palatable grass and herb ‘species, reduction in the heath and extent of «ge {uss0ck grassland, and a arge reduction in the amount and diversity of woody cover. CCuttvaton, “buming and grazing has Converted shrubland to grassiand, a process begun in Maori times and rail scoeterated by the exploitative Europezn land uses. Only vestiges of shrubland remain in gulles and In rocky areas, typically species poor. Photo: kanuka woodland in Roxburgh GorgeShort tussock has replaced tall tussock; red tussock and sedge wetlands have been ploughed up and converted to exotic pasiue, short tussock has been converted to exotic asture or degraded toa mere shadow of ks former sel Today the more natural Communities largely compre only those species that can withstand the repeated buming ‘and grazing and the competition of introduced plans. 3 in of distribution of landscape elements, primary in ‘The introduction of ordered, repetive geometric pattems of distibuton of vegetatve elements is. a dominant process of non-natural landscape change. Common "examples ae orchards; vineyerds, patchworks of cultivated and inigated. paddocks of ‘mono-cultures of exotic pasture and feed crop; mono- Cultures of plantation foresty and geometric woodlots; linear shelter belts; and domestic gardens. ‘Other pattems may be organic in form but are permit nave wooty cover to roganerate wher it shows a tendency to persistently revert. ‘peal in ple, seep face and rccky areas where grazing pressures tse and tere has Been refge rom buring (but not serial praying) > once of gulls and seep faces to exclude toot grazing and pcm regeneration Im commercial forerry foe planing over such areas, enough ater fang indigenous ‘woody cover can etm > Savelyrosnreduce species tht ae now missing tm te egal pe-European ders fier through mast seoding or Wrough pocket planing to eet up Tor natural spread specially bre-coeadspoces 58,> avoid development of areas stil retsring indigenous elements, op, dry land toraces; ‘especialy avd elvan, re and ne planing and iigaton whch have ireversibe effets > ele areas where nati conservation management would have goed chance of restoring a Feathy incigenous eccystem even on areas f potential pm production >> Blain of fpatan areas wit an appropiate mix of exe and mdigenous species for malple tee Ondgenous bioshersty and hablat; smenty and aosietes: bark protection, dod Iitigton; this woul involve removing the ack wilows In a progressive manner and Feplacing wih non-spesd rsk spoces. Adjacent wolands and gulls coud be incuded, Tnkng 0 other nal areas nthe hinterland. Catto ‘and door should be excluded fron paran areas primary to prevent tamping and fouling ofthe wate. > encourage the Inclusin of areas of ecological restoration or retention of natural values in new ‘Subdivisions. pariulaty the ereaton of adequate naturel andscape buffers between the rer land adjacent evelopment. This could be by way of gudeinas or dst plan ules, > generally promt the creation of @ network of natural areas within ad between indus! Properties, mainly ho.gh quceinas and dissemination of Infomation > ting pine cont (eal eadeation) and con of other pest plants although gorse and broom can be used a nurse crop for nalve species (a preferenia end use than commercial foreiry win tne ves corto) > rabbi contol. Removal of rete would alow the rum of @ numberof palaabie native ‘Species, Sian goats should be dscoureged whore naive woody vepetio is desrabe > promotion of pastoral and use acves tat wil sustain and preferably Improve the heath of {he tuseecepraslands where they remain Frequency and ting of bring end pos-buing ‘ring management re the key managoment issues 2 Reasining a more diverse_and ind sociated limprovementin faunal avers Not only is @ dominance of indigenous species sought but the appropriate range of species should be present. Exotic species can be part ofthe mix where fey have neutral to positive {effect on the potential diversity ‘Allthe procesees outined sbove would contibute to this landscape change. In particular, the revintroduction of ‘missing’ species would assist this process, as well as excluding grazing ‘animals which prevent the tum of some species. 3. Achieving More Natural Pate of Distribution of Landscape Elements ‘The imposition of a cultursly derived pattem of landscape eloments is probably the most ‘obvious process weakening natural landscape character The mare organic, or natura, the pattems are the greater wilbe the strength of natural charactor. Nature conservation land ute has the greatest ably to promote naturel pattems, folowed by ‘carefully managed extensive pastoraism. These two land uses best promote a natural landscape character. Extensive pastoral so supports fetention of natural character (Roxburgh Gorge)More intensive land uses would promote natural character if they responded to and reflactod ‘natural pats of lancform, sols, drainage and vegetation (land type farming). Development Of fand use within an ecological framework of nature conservation areas along side streams land the ver, In gulls, on scarps, onder stony terrace treads, on steep rocky country and inweland areas would further bis goal. This approach to development (or re-development) ‘could be encouraged trrough dissemination of informaton, Land uses that superimpose an ordered repetitive and geometric pattem of element that are ‘a odds fo the natural paters promote natural character the least. Typically these incude ‘orchards, vineyards, iigates pasture, and commercial woodlots and plantations. 4 lution of Cutural Ele Processes_info the River Langscape Limiting the presence of zuttural elements and non-natural processes within the iver landscape corridor so that natural elements and processes subetataly dominate would be necessary fo retain and enhance natural character This could be acheved in a number of ways: > avoid as much as possible any modification of tho bed and banks ofthe rver or lke, If fnincal structures re necessary such a fevetnens, then 2 natural design could be ‘employed to miunize adverse elects on natural characte > enoourape bull ements tobe St ack rom the fvr so that they are ony minor element Bisrestocston and eenstve and erative design would also roa assist in preventing rd incongruty. Ks especialy. imporant to oval. the vense of ‘domestication whine er Iandscape, Resided awelinge and gardens shou be st well, Back ram the nvr is acknowledged this may eause loss of vows ofthe river which are ‘Sought by the resideis, The amount of setback would need to be detominod on 3 case Dy ‘aso bate bt wou be Inthe order of 120300! or more. Domestic dvelings In particular need to be set back from the river by a substantial iatance i natural characte sto be retained. > where bulings ned tobe by the sver or lake uch as pump housing. ington intakes, Trorestional facies, water measurement devices) then clsereotfcalon and good design ‘can greatly reduce efecto natural character and through cresive dosn, could even ornplemet Te avidance of domestic and srban elements Such as green se seating, ‘um areas, Ign an Kerbing Ss importan. lw lay design approach more appropiate > large scale visual prominent stuctures such a6 bdges.and Gams siilaty can become ccepible trough good design. Theres ot rnuch that canbe done about pylons, but the oir forthe ines “sul be mere approprtey managed tobe more natural in character. > cot selection of stgnments for racking, eadng and fence nes to avoid visual seating. In baricuar avoid crossing terace scarps and promunont tlsdos. Minimal disturbance Epproaches to constrction would futher decrease the vaual pact > gravel extraction and apen cast mining je generally considered o be inappropriate land uses Whe the rie landscape This woul depend onthe saging Othe extraction and te nature {nd eng of ey rohan proposed> rehabilitation of previusy mined areas and ‘ough areas would enhance natural character butts may conic win ering hetage values, ep, reas o allngs and sulcngs > geometc plantings of ees and vines are nota prefered land use wit the fiver coridr. Foweverthe moce eran the layout ofthe land use andthe more responds special to ‘he natural condone to lst wl weaken natal charactor. > more extenive and conserve ther than inlensve. and expatave land usee are preferabio to retin natal chracer, Where more tensive land utes are occur wi the Tver landscape those that folow a land type approach will have less effect than those ‘Spermposin @ pale, Sufable ber zones between the Fver and he land use should be part ofthe overall acy pian, > uring and spaying wihin the iver landscape should be discouraged. The more natural process of regeneratin of native woody cover should be permed, io enhance natural haracer Encouraging the process of natural conversion of gorse and broom infested areas {enative shrbland and forest preerale fo Gearanco fo convert to pasture oF planing out In exati plantaton species > eulvaion of previously uncutiveted areas shouts also be avoided. Likewise ington ‘evelopment of the iy lend toraves would adversely sflct natal character and Undestable. Te few remaining afeas of ore natural Desin Moorland should be left and ‘manegodto promote amore natal character. Ta summary, processes of landscape change that support the retention and enhancement of natural character include: “+ acquisiion of land er tention of Crown land for nature conservation and ecological restoration + active programmes of ecological restoration within ver landscape areas especialy "ipafian restoration + extensive pastoraism with careful management of buming (if any) and grazing of tussock lands ‘+ carelly and sensively designed more intonsve tand uses including residential oF lesiyie developments occuring wihin @ ecological framework Including an adequate ‘vor landecape buffr and sufficient sot back of man-made structures and domestic activity * informal low key development for recrestionalamenity use employing sensitive and, Creative design wih strong response to piace ‘= creative even bold design for large structures associated wih the river ‘discreet and site sensitve design of smaller scale structures that need to be by the | =! + restoration of disturbed areas 5. Vulnerable River Landscape ‘Vulnerable landscapes are those landscapes that have high values the loss of which would be significant, combined wen a landscape character that's not capable of really absorbing change (more natural open landscapes for example); and pressure for development. Where these tree factors exst, landscapes are vuinersble. ‘Vulnerable ive landscapes are considered to be 11 the Upper Chua sections between the head of Lake Dunstan and Sandy Point here there Is threat to landscape values from subdivision of land into este blocks and ftom iigation development 2 the section from Figney to Beaumont . Here the threat is loss of the kanuka woodlands and forest remnants due fo spraying and grazing; piantation forestry; and satthe upgrading of the Millennium track, all of which would significantly detract from ‘natural character. “To protect these vulnerable andsoapes and preserve ther values, measures vil be required 1 contol and det development and land use Its beyond the seape of ths report to specticaly set out such measures but suggestions can be made, Subdivision and the locator of domestic development can be controled through the distit plan. Policies and rules coul! be carefully wordel to Eot outa standard to be met by all new Subdivision, These would ain to permit development as long as there was no domesticating ‘effect and significant weakening of natural landscape character within the river landscape ‘comidor parteuiartyIn'a cumulative sense. The onus should be on the proponents to prove that this would be so, This would nat mean no resierdaiifestye development bu it would mean that any development would need to be careluly sited and employ creative means of mnilgating effects, such a ndscape buffers This would need to be carefully explained in any application ‘The dstrct plan could algo set out rules for subsvsion requiring the incorporation of butler Zones and "iver landscape areas" a new subdvsions where the alm is to achieve a natural ‘character, This would set up opportunites fr creative design, Existing development should be looked at to soe if thre are ways to reduce its effec. This ‘would Be dticut where sore dwelings are very close tothe river. Protection of wuinerable dry land terraces from litigation development nd shelter belt planting Is more deat as faring activity ls generaly Cassiied as permited use. Ideally {hese areas should not be developed but left as remnant examples of his ecosystem. As the production values wil be low, propery purchase may be the best option for these areas. ‘These areas are also Ikely to be destroyed If HEP development proceeds in the Upper CCutha. The long term protection of these special areas would then have to be part of the ‘cost-benefit analysis of such development. In summary, the undeveloped open terraces of the Upper Clutha should be used and managed in'a way that retans their open natal character and alows the indigenous dry land species fo persist and daly become moce dominant. In the Beaumont area, the landscape use and management ideally would result in retention of kanuka and mixed hardwood weodland in gullies and on the steeper faces expecially the Fillfaces forming the river valy."The curent programme of wholesale spraying would need {be mociied ina major way. Plantation forestry s also an unwelcome element inthe vale. ‘This could be managed fraugh restrictions on clearance through the district plan but areas, already sprayed would not be covered and such rues usually are not well received by land ‘oumers. A co-operative edlcatonal approach aimed at gaining landowner enthusiasm and Commitment is probably a better approach, Tree planting can be more easily controlled through the este plan, by doting ‘no planting! aroas. Regarding the recreational fecltie, the local counc has the full power to contol how these fare developed. Whilst recreational needs of users actual and potential must be bome in mind, the overal experience of the river landscape thal is sought to be provided should guide how facies are developed. This study has concluded that any future development should be discreet and low Key Sut caries out well, with good design. 5