What’s a Gorse and Broom Free area?

The Gorse and Broom Free Areas are parts of Otago identified in the Otago Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) where the goal is to prevent these invasive weeds from becoming established. Within these areas, land occupiers are responsible for eliminating gorse and broom infestations before they can spread and set viable seed. These areas are mainly Otago’s unique high country and tussock grasslands that have never had a major history of these pest plants, and where an invasion of these plants would greatly affect grazing, biodiversity and the landscape.

In total, the gorse and broom free areas cover over 50% of Otago.

The areas proposed for this year's flyover include:

• Walter Peak / Von River

• Glenorchy

• Makarora

• Skippers Pass

• Kyeburn

• Rock and Pillar Range

• Beaumont

• Pomahaka River

Portfolio lead Cr Andrew Noone says, “The purpose of the programme is to protect Otago's Gorse and Broom Free Areas by identifying infestations early and working with land occupiers to ensure these highly invasive pest plants do not establish and spread in these highly valued landscapes.”

Following the flyover, Council staff will undertake follow-up site inspections where required to better understand conditions on the ground, confirm compliance, provide guidance on pest management requirements and best-practice control methods, and, where necessary, take enforcement action.

As always, ORC's approach is to focus on education and support in the first instance. Information about the Gorse and Broom Free Areas, including maps, can be found on ORC's Pest Hub.