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Finally – action on pines!
After much lobbying from FOM and some very courageous speaking out by Cr Rachel Sanson the Council set up the Right Tree Right Place Taskforce at its meeting on Feb 9. The taskforce will evaluate future options for Council’s 600 hectares of forest in the Maitai, Brook, Roding and Marsden valleys.
The taskforce is led by former Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Morgan William, with Crs Rachel Sanson and Matthew Benge to jointly recommend two more independent industry and environmental experts. This team will review the results of forestry reports commissioned by the last Council, assess the various ecological and socio-economic options for the land and make recommendations back to Council. Any change in policy will be included in the Council’s consultation on the Long Term Plan 2024-34.
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Slash the slash
You’ve no doubt seen the tragic impact of forestry slash in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, and you may have heard government has announced a ministerial inquiry into this issue.
Greens co-leader James Shaw said slash devastation was a repeat occurrence, companies need to contribute to the cost of the clean-up and that plantation forestry might need to be retired for steep and erosion-prone areas. There are also iwi groups seeking a review of the National Policy Statement on Plantation Forestry.
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Flood repairs at Waahi Taakaro Golf Club
Water is being diverted from the Maitai through pipes as Council restores the river bed and rebuilds the banks following the August floods. The $1.4 million project is underway between the Waahi Taakaro Golf Club and Groom Creek and involves 7000 cubic metres of gravel being taken from the river, with 2500 tonnes of rock as being shaped into flood protection. The work involved a river ecologist, and 14 staff salvaged fish from the area before the water was diverted. The work is expected to be completed by the end of May, depending on the weather. (Nelson Mail)
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This is a forestry focussed news flash – but it is the ‘topic du jour’. Hope you’re all well, enjoying the last of the Maitai swimming and looking forward to the autumn colours. Hope to see you on March 24 at Groom Creek.
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Friends of the Maitai’s ongoing costs are low, but we always welcome donations and would love to hear from any supporters who feel they could make a regular contribution.
One coffee a week costs $16 a month - just to put it in a day-to-day context.
Our kiwi bank account is: 38-9016-0313862-00
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