forest talk
Forestry under fire after Cyclone Hale AS EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME more frequent, putting ‘the right forest in the right place’ takes on new meaning in the light of tropical cyclones like Cyclone Hale. The forestry industry is in support of an independent review of the challenges faced by the East Coast following the cyclone, believing it will be beneficial for the region in the future. The weather event affected a significant part of the country late last year. However, like Cyclone Bola in 1988, it was once again the East Coast community which felt the brunt of the weather with roads and bridges damaged, and power taken out. Speaking for the Eastland Wood Council, Chief Executive Philip Hope noted the combination of factors that makes Tairāwhiti so vulnerable. “We are managing an area almost twice the size of Auckland with three percent of their population, whilst sitting on some of the worst eroding country in the world. It’s a big challenge for many including the Council.” The industry is proposing a review that takes a 20–50-year outlook and assesses what needs to happen to achieve an outcome that is realistic to ensure communities are supported.
Grant Dodson, President of the NZ Forest Owners Association, says that such a stocktake clearly needs to look at the role of forestry in the region, including new processing investment and bioenergy potential. To achieve a holistic picture, he says it must also consider other land uses and risk management decisions made by all parties. Aratu Forests is one of the forest companies involved in assisting with the clean-up. Chief Executive Officer, Neil Woods, agrees that there is merit in a review. “Forestry, farming and horticulture all need to be part of maintaining a sustainable community on the coast and that includes new processing investment. We are encouraged by some of the recent changes we have implemented. The systems have held up well, despite the intensity of this storm, but we know debris slash is still a problem. There is more we need to do to improve resilience for the benefit of our community - a sciencebased independent review can help us with that.” The industry is working alongside Gisborne District Council to remove woody debris from Tolaga Bay. Operations to clear the Gisborne City beach began last month. NZL
Fifth fine in Tolaga Bay disaster ERNSLAW ONE HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY $225,000 FOR serious forestry offending related to a storm event in Uawa/Tolaga Bay in June 2018. The company pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges laid by Gisborne District Council. The recent sentencing at the Gisborne District Court concluded one of the largest series of investigations and prosecutions under the Resource Management Act (RMA). Ernslaw One is the fifth company sentenced in Tairāwhiti after severe rain events in June 2018 dislodged sediment and slash from poorly managed forestry sites. It’s estimated 400,000m3 of slash washed down hills, clogged rivers, caused serious environmental harm and damaged properties. Around 47,000m3 of the woody debris washed up on Uawa Beach. Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann, says she wants the fine to be seen as a deterrent. “Any company that pollutes our region will be prosecuted. Today’s sentencing of Ernslaw closes court action against five forestry companies from an event that devastated the community of Uawa more than four years ago. “Our hill country is steep and erosion-prone. It must be planted and harvested with care to ensure sustainable management of our natural and physical resources.”
Ms Thatcher Swann says monitoring of consent conditions has increased. “Storms of this intensity are becoming more frequent due to climate change. As a Council we must make sure best practice is being followed in forestry to protect our environment, people and property.” Ernslaw’s charges relate to Uawa Forest between June 1, 2017 and June 22, 2018. Over Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2018 intense rainfall over Uawa dislodged sediment and slash on hilly erosion-prone slopes. The slash came from a number of forestry sites, including Uawa Forest, where Ernslaw is the holder of the resource consent and responsible for the forestry harvest and associated earthworks. Uawa Forest is owned by Timbergrow. A week later more intense rainfall affected the district south of Uawa. Ernslaw was also ordered to pay emotional harm reparation to each of the parties who prepared victim impact statements. Other companies successfully prosecuted by Council from these events include Aratu Forests (formerly Hikurangi Forest Farms), Juken NZ, DNS Forest Products 2009 and PF Olsen. All pleaded guilty – some only days before their trials started. NZL
4 NZ LOGGER | February 2023
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