1080 drop planned for scenic reserve

PAULA HULBURT

Vector Free Marlborough (VFM) is warning landowners near Ward they will be carry out an aerial 1080 drop as part of predator control efforts.

From June 1, VFM will carry out work at the Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve on behalf of the Department of Conservation.

The Isolated Hill Scenic Reserve is approximately 3,400ha and is mostly contained within the catchments of two southbank tributaries of the Waima (Ure) River.

The reserve is surrounded by developed farmland with Protected Private Lands (PPL’s; 590ha) that have been negotiated with neighbours on the northern and western boundaries to exclude domestic stock from areas of remnant forest presently outside but adjoining the reserve.

The treatment area covers over the Sawcut gorge track to Isolation Hut, through to Brian Boru Bivvy, Napolean Bivvy, and sec- tions of the Zoo Hut track. Public access will be restricted whilst the aerial application of toxic bait takes place and Sawcut Gorge is closed.

A VFM spokesperson says all huts will have water supplies disconnected and provided with alternative drinking water supplies in accordance with Public Health Permit conditions.

Warning signs and factsheets will also be put in place before the operation begins. Toxin warning signs will be in place at all track entrances immediately prior to the application of toxic bait as the bait is poisonous to both humans and domestic animals.

“The public are reminded of the danger that toxic baits and possum carcasses pose, particularly to children and dogs.

“Children should be kept under strict supervision in the treatment area.

“Dogs should be always kept under strict control and not have access to or be taken into the treatment area as they are particularly susceptible to accidental poisoning through contact with 1080 bait and poisoned carcasses,” the spokesperson says. Game animals should not be sold or taken for eating from within or adjacent to this area until it is declared clear of pesticides.

Vector Free Marlborough will be carrying out scheduled 1080 drops over 3,400ha in Marlborough. Graphic: Supplied.

If you suspect poisoning contact your local hospital or dial 111

National Poisons Centre 0800 POISON – 0800 764 766 In the case of a domestic animal being poisoned, contact a local veterinarian.

WORDS BY MIKE INSLEY

The squeeze is on…

Sauvignon Blanc really is Marlborough’s grape. It makes up over 80% of the region’s producing vineyard area and Marlborough is the world’s largest producing region or appellation for this variety. When grown in Marlborough it can produce a distinctive, high quality wine that has found its way onto restaurant wine lists and into people’s glasses all around the globe. It really has been a godsend for the New Zealand wine industry and the variety makes up over 85% of our wine exports. It’s not all wine and roses in the world of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc though. As a variety, Sauvignon Blanc is thin skinned and (usually) tight bunched, meaning it can be prone to bunch rot diseases. It’s also more susceptible to Grapevine Trunk Disease compared to many other varieties, as many Marlborough vineyard owners are finding out. At least the pace of vineyard redevelopment programmes now seems to be picking up, hopefully avoiding any supply hiccups in the future.

Sauvignon Blanc is very much a mid-season variety in Marlborough, with harvest of ripe fruit usually taking place from the last week of March through until mid-April. Once upon a time, I would have regarded it as a mid-late season variety with harvest not usually starting until closer to midApril. Rootstocks, canopy management and climate change have all conspired to bring that forward and the Savvy harvest was definitely on the home run by the time Easter rolled around this year in early April. As new vineyards are being planted and existing properties redeveloped, the dominance of Sauvignon Blanc within Marlborough is increasing.

This dominance brings its own set of vineyard and harvest management issues. Timing is everything when growing grapes and I’ve often thought that the difference between the great and the “merely” good Vineyard Manager comes down to about a week to ten days – the great Vineyard Manager plans and gets onto things ahead of time so things happen in the vineyard exactly when they should. The merely good Manager follows about a week later. Sometimes this is due to circumstances out of a Vineyard Manager’s control however. There’s only a certain amount of labour and machinery available and when everyone wants it at the same time, because we’re all growing the same variety in the same region, often on the same rootstock and pruned the same way, someone is going to miss out.

The same goes for harvest and winery intake. The limiting factors here can be harvester and truck availability (and often that comes down to driver availability), winery intake capacity and, as we head into the tail end of harvest in bigger than anticipated years, winery volume capacity.

The more we become a single variety region, the more of an issue this becomes. While innovations such as KLIMA (for pruning) and other moves to increase mechanisation help to a certain degree, the squeeze on time and resources is real. Heaven forbid it leads to compromising the quality that we have built our reputation on over the last 50 years.

For Sale $1,180,000 (GST inclusive) View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10297

A great lifestyle property offering an attractive fourbedroom home with new kitchen and numerous features plus views to Mt Fishtail. Sheltered from the prevailing winds and located within the Wairau Valley community, this is a rural property with means to generate income. Has to be seen to appreciate all of the improvements made by the vendors.

• 3.1761ha, six fully fenced paddocks with water

Indicative Boundary local people local farmers local knowledge local rural specialists

• Enormous implement shed / workshop with power and water califont

• Three bay pole shed, small stockyard and loading and dog run, bore and private water scheme

• https://vimeo.com/797121837

William Harris Rural & Lifestyle Manager M 027 756 7798 P 03 578 0888 william.harris@harcourts.co.nz

Mike Insley Viticulture Sales & Marketing Consultant M 021 229 8157 P 03 578 0888 mike.insley@harcourts.co.nz

The property infrastructure is in place to run a home business, there are paddocks to graze horses or finish stock, and the neighbours over the fence have established a vineyard which introduces a further potential use for the bare land. Or, perhaps you just want an amazing family home with paddocks for the pets. The Durobuilt shed has 6 closed bays with a 4m high ceiling. This one is ready for immediate possession. Call Rhonda or William to view.

• 4.0803ha, six fully fenced paddocks + K Line

• Spacious, modern home with five bedrooms, three bathrooms

• Loads of storage space / sheds

It’s crayfish, shellfish and wetfish you’ll be reeling in from the depths and enjoying hot off the BBQ at 1466 Port Underwood Road. Views over the bay will impress even the saltiest of sea-dogs. Four bedroom, two bathroom house, and a self-contained two-bedroom flat below with private patio area, parking and attached garage on 3832m².

VDSL internet and landline

• Re-clad exterior, freshly painted boatshed, roof and house roof

• New retaining walls, landscaping, and an extended wastewater system installed, plus interior upgrades.

• Boatshed & double garrage

For Sale By Negotiation View By Appointment marlborough.harcourts.co.nz/BL10411

Selling now, three sections at Oruapuputa on Queen Charlotte Drive. Lot 1 DP482094: 1.6328ha - BL10412

• Lot 2 DP482094: 1.7245ha - BL10413

• Lot 3 DP482094: 2.0177ha - BL10414

Currently grazed with dairy stock, all sections have proposed building sites identified and feature sea views. Phone landline is to the road boundary, no reticulated power.

For additional property information or to arrange a viewing contact Rhonda or William today.