Report welcomed by most, not GDC

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

The trepidation with which calls for an independent inquiry into land uses associated with the mobilisation of woody debris and sediment were met in some quarters has been justified by the hard-hitting report released yesterday.

That included the former Forestry Minister, but central government is one party that escapes much criticism . . . although it now has the difficult task of deciding which recommendations to implement and finding the money to do so — including for some huge infrastructure challenges that need to be met, and supporting a just transition to a modified economy for Tairāwhiti with new employment and investment opportunities.

First the responsible ministers will have to assess the merits or otherwise of lobbying from Gisborne District Council, which has received a comprehensive admonishment in the report for various failings — to the point that the inquiry panel recommends a Commissioner assume responsibility for GDC’s resource management functions and to oversee new regional spatial strategies and natural and built environment plans, along with a Crown facilitator who has in-depth Tairāwhiti knowledge to support this in relation to iwi Post-Settlement Governance Entities.

The council is clearly going to vigorously defend some of its decisions, actions and inactions that are heavily criticised. It will also stress the enormity of the challenges it has been dealing with as the regulator, and the changes made since the shock of the massive slash inundation during flooding at Tolaga Bay in 2018.

It is interesting that the council’s official response seems to reject the report outright in order to defend itself, and that the Mayor is prepared to use her political capital fronting a response to what are mostly operational matters.

Eastland Wood Council has welcomed the report, describing it as “thorough” and “an important step forward for our community, as we all make changes necessary to protect our whānau and our whenua and combat the increasingly severe weather that we face”.

Forestry companies will face large costs in realising the vision of the report, but EWC says they are “committed to playing our part in the solution and leading improvements from within the industry”.

Forestry Minister Peeni Henare and Environment Minister David Parker thanked the panel for its “excellent work” in a short time frame. They said they would promptly and carefully consider the report and announce decisions “as soon as possible”.