EWC takes inquiry panel out to region

TAKEN ON TOUR: Eastland Wood Council representatives with members of the ministerial inquiry into land use in Tairawhiti.Back, from left, Matt McCloy (inquiry panel member), Pat Bethel, Dan Fraser, Andrew Knudsen, Sarah Pohatu and Jason Blair. Front, from left ,Nicki Davies, Georgia Paulson, Hekia Parata (inquiry panel chair) and Dave Brash (who replaced Bill Bayfield on the inquiry panel). Picture supplied

Eastland Wood Council (EWC) has met with the panel charged with running the ministerial inquiry into land use across Tairāwhiti.

EWC invited panel members to travel through forests in the region to see some of the impacts of recent cyclones, and to see changes that have been made to forestry practices and catchment management processes in recent years.

The review is looking into past and current land-use practices and the impact of woody debris, including forestry slash and sediment.

EWC chief executive Philip Hope said the latest engagement with the panel was important as it allowed members to have discussions with the panel, and to show the extremely difficult terrain and soils that all land users are faced with in Tairāwhiti.

“We had a really full conversation with the panel, and we thank them for taking the time to engage with us. EWC members were able to show some of the tangible steps that they have taken to implement wholesale changes to forestry practices since the last significant storms, and the impact that these changes have had on limiting debris movement in these most recent weather events.

“At the same time, we were able to show the panel the vulnerable landscapes we have on the Coast and some of the mitigations that have already been put into place, such as managing clearcuts, how we manage harvest residues on landslide- prone slopes, and steps to leave mature trees to act as natural debris traps. The highly erodible soil of the East Coast is an issue faced by all land users, and EWC members are committed to improving the resilience of the forestry industry in Tairāwhiti.

“This year’s really devastating weather has shown us that we do need to adapt more of our forestry practices and make further changes to the way that we run and manage our production forests, so we are both supporting good environmental outcomes for our community, while continuing to support the jobs and livelihoods of many hundreds of families in our region,” Mr Hope said.

Improving forestry’s resilience in Tairāwhiti meant ensuring that forestry practices behind the gate were working well and helping to shore up the highly erodible soil in the region, he said.

Some examples already put forward by EWC members to the panel include constructing slash traps, slash grapples, planting new land or replanting previously forested land, and the development and implementation of EWC’s Good Practice Guideline for Catchment Management.

“We are committed to thinking outside the box and finding solutions to the woody debris issues.  We support local solutions to this local problem, and we are stepping up as a sector to make sure we are part of the solution.

“At the same time, the clean-up continues, and a number of forestry companies across our region are working hand-in-hand with the community as we recover from the devastating storms.”