"Significant progress” continues to be made to reduce woody debris risks across Tairāwhiti, according to Gisborne District Council, with thousands of tonnes of it removed from waterways like the Waimatā River. Photo / Supplied
"Significant progress” continues to be made to reduce woody debris risks across Tairāwhiti, according to Gisborne District Council, with thousands of tonnes of it removed from waterways like the Waimatā River. Photo / Supplied
Nearly 600,000 cubic metres of large woody debris have been removed from river catchments and beaches across the region since Cyclone Gabrielle and final work will be done early next year.
Gisborne District Council chief executive Nedine Thatcher-Swann said in a statement “significant progress” continued to be made to reducewoody debris risks across Tairāwhiti.
Final work to address remaining debris in rivers in the Ūawa, Waiapu, Waipaoa and northern catchments will get under way in early 2026.
Work to scope the remaining 4km of the lower Waimatā River (from the cheese factory at 161 Riverside Rd to the William Pettie Bridge) began this week.
Thatcher-Swann said completing the $54 million phase of the programme, funded by the cyclone recovery to remove woody debris from river catchments, would be a significant milestone.
The nearly 600,000 tonnes of woody debris was removed before it could end up on beaches across the region. Photo / Gisborne Herald
The council and Tairāwhiti Forestry Action Group (TFA Group) – appointed by Minister for Forestry Todd McClay – have worked to identify areas of risk and accelerate clean-up efforts.
“A further $27m has been funded by MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) for the next phase of the woody debris work.”
TFA Group chairman Patrick Willock said the group’s focus had turned to treating high-risk woody debris beyond the forest gate.
“A portion of the MPI funding will be allocated to treating woody debris at its source – on our most erosion-prone and vulnerable land in the region.”
The council and the TFA Group had been proactively working with partners and forest companies, focusing on the highest-risk catchments to identify which locations required targeted intervention, the statement said.
“This is the next step to improve resilience and lower risks to safeguard our communities and waterways,” Willock said.
“There is approximately $100m worth of work required to address the highest-risk areas across the region, and further funding will be required to support the collaborative efforts to reduce this risk.”
The initial focus will be on the Waimatā and Te Arai catchments due to the critical lifelines and infrastructure in these areas.
“Work in two forests is currently at the pre-consent stage and engagement is under way with other forestry companies who meet the eligibility criteria for trees or debris at risk of entering waterways, and who aren’t under Environment Court action or abatement notice.”
Willock said when many of these forestry blocks were initially planted, rules and expectations around where and how to plant were very different from what existed today.
“This programme recognises those changes and is focused on supporting forestry companies to address areas that are now identified as high-risk.
“Funding support will be directed toward work that delivers environmental outcomes beyond standard business-as-usual operations, ensuring investment goes where it will have the greatest impact.”
Thatcher-Swann said the council was committed to supporting operators through the most appropriate consenting pathways to ensure the work could proceed safely, efficiently and in alignment with long-term land-use priorities.
“By working closely with the sector we can ensure this work is well-planned and delivered in a way that supports both community safety and environmental outcomes.”
