AGENDA
Ordinary meeting of the
Forestry Advisory Group
Tuesday 11 September 2018
Commencing at 3.00p.m.
Ruma Mārama
Floor 2A, Civic House
110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Pat Dougherty
Chief Executive
Membership: Chairperson John Murray (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor Rachel Reese, Councillor Luke Acland, Mr Alec Louverdis and Mr Peter Gorman
Quorum: 4 – comprising the Chair and one elected member (decision makers), plus one Council officer and the independent forestry expert (for advice only)
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Forestry Advisory Group
11 September 2018
1. Apologies
Nil
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
3.1 Updates to the Interests Register
3.2 Identify any conflicts of interest in the agenda
Document number M3548
Recommendation
That the Forestry Advisory Group
Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Forestry Advisory Group, held on 12 June 2018, as a true and correct record.
6. Chairperson's Report
7. Forestry Update - Number 5 - September 2018 10 - 94
Document number R9451
Recommendation
That the Forestry Advisory Group
Receives the report Forestry Update - Number 5 - September 2018 (R9451) and its attachments (A2027143, A2039914, A2023324, A2027255, A2023151, A2040702); and
Notes the regeneration costs associated with Brook block 21.04 estimated at $96,000; and
Approves the setback replanting plan and associated costs (A2040702 of report R9451) for the Maitai and Roding blocks already harvested.
Forestry Advisory Group Minutes - 12 June 2018
Minutes of a meeting of the Forestry Advisory Group
Held in the Ruma Mārama, Floor 2A, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
On Tuesday 12 June 2018, commencing at 3.00p.m.
Present: Mr J Murray (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Mr A Louverdis and Mr P Gorman
In Attendance: Councillor I Barker, Group Manager Infrastructure (A Louverdis), Land Vision Director (L Grant), PF Olsen Representatives (D Fincham, G Hurford, J Visscher) and Governance Adviser (J Brandt)
Apology: Councillor Acland
1. Apologies
Resolved FAG/2018/004 That the Forestry Advisory Group Receives and accepts an apology from Councillor Acland. Murray/Her Worship the Mayor Carried |
2. Confirmation of Order of Business
The Chair noted he had invited the Property Parks and Facilities Asset Manager to give an overview of plans and intentions in regards to future recreational use for the forestry areas.
3. Interests
Her Worship the Mayor declared an interest in block 28.01.
4. Public Forum
There was no public forum.
5. Confirmation of Minutes
5.1 15 March 2018
Document number M3339, agenda pages 5 - 9 refer.
Resolved FAG/2018/005 That the Forestry Advisory Group Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Forestry Advisory Group, held on 15 March 2018, as a true and correct record. Murray/Her Worship the Mayor Carried |
6. Chairperson's Report
Following an invitation from the Chairperson, the Property Parks and Facilities Asset Manager Andrew Petheram gave a verbal update on plans for future recreational use for the forestry areas pertaining to the Forestry Advisory Group. It was noted that there were a mixture of mountain bike tracks and walking tracks which were covered by Council’s Off Road Tracks Strategy 2016-2026 ‘Out and About – On Tracks’.
Mr Petheram noted that existing tracks were covered under an overarching Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Council and the Mountain Bike Club and that the process for building new tracks required Council approval through a new MOU for each track.
It was suggested that Council officers would include contractor’s harvest planning information relating to planned access roads in their consideration for planning future biking and walking tracks.
Officers answered questions about health and safety, track maintenance, charging rent, harvesting processes and communication with stakeholders, as well as proximity of tracks to the gondola project on Ngāti Koata land.
7. Forestry Update - Number 4 - June 2018
Document number R9152, agenda pages 10 - 36 refer.
Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis noted a correction to item 3.2 on agenda page 11 explaining that poisoning in block 55.03 with respect to Douglas Fir/ Acacia removal had not yet occurred but was imminent.
The meeting discussed Block 42.06 (Douglas Fir) in Marsden Valley. Following the advice from Nick Ledgard, PF Olsen and Peter Gorman noting the possibility of harvesting in 2022 at breakeven, the meeting agreed to amend the recommendation to include 2022 as review date for harvesting this block in 2027.
“Tantragee Block”
PF Olsen presented their report on hazardous tree management for the “Tantragee block”. They noted that poisoning/felling was the preferred option as it would keep the houses safe and the hillside stable, which was also important for storm events.
It was noted that the costs outlined in the report did not include assessment of the site through a geotechnical engineer or ecological consultant. The wording of the recommendation was amended to make allowance for this by approving funds of up to $80,000 for work on the “Tantragee block” to be implemented.
PF Olsen advised that no special allowance was needed for stormwater controls due to the fact that these were expected to be minimal.
5-Year Harvesting Plans
Questions were raised regarding the harvesting prices in PF Olsen’s ‘NCC cut plan 2017-2027’.
Alternate Uses
Mr Lachie Grant of LandVision presented the report (A1989331) he had tabled and went through each block proposal.
In response to a question regarding replanting costs, Group Manager Infrastructure Alec Louverdis noted that an annual provision for replanting in alternate species was included in the Long Term Plan for the next ten years as part of the Parks budget.
With respect to Brook block 21.04, immediate revegetation was recommended as this was the section above the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary Trust which had been harvested two years ago and was currently lying fallow.
Officers were asked to continue investigating access to the Government’s One Billion Trees Fund even though replanting existing forestry blocks in alternative species was not covered by the Government policy.
Attendance: Mr Gorman left the meeting at 4.50p.m.
Resolved FAG/2018/006 That the Forestry Advisory Group Receives the report Forestry Update - Number 4 - June 2018 (R9152) and its attachments (A1959057, A1969488, A1969507 and A1969491); and Murray/Her Worship the Mayor Carried |
Resolved FAG/2018/007 That the Forestry Advisory Group Approves the revised specific site plans as presented by LandVision at the 12 June 2018 Forestry Advisory Group meeting, subject to further refinement on financial implications, priorities and consultation, relating to Alternate Use of the stands to be retired from commercial forestry; and Murray/Her Worship the Mayor Carried |
Resolved FAG/2018/008 That the Forestry Advisory Group Approves that Block 42.06 (Marsden – Douglas Fir) not be cleared until the trees can be commercially harvested around 2027 as per A1959057 of report R9152, with the review to be undertaken in 2022 to confirm if the harvest date of 2027 is still appropriate; and Her Worship the Mayor/Murray Carried
|
Resolved FAG/2018/009 That the Forestry Advisory Group Approves the specific site management plan for the “Tantragee block” as per option 1 of A1969488 of report R9152, and that work on this be implemented at an estimated cost of up to $80,000 without delay. Murray/Her Worship the Mayor Carried |
Attachments 1 A1989331 - LandVision - Nelson City Council Forestry Alternative Management June 2018 |
There being no further business the meeting ended at 5.05pm.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:
Chairperson Date
Item 7: Forestry Update - Number 5 - September 2018
|
Forestry Advisory Group 11 September 2018 |
REPORT R9451
Forestry Update - Number 5 - September 2018
1. Purpose of Report
1.1 To provide an update to the Forestry Advisory Group (Group) on forestry activities since Council adopted the Forestry Review recommendations in September 2016 and since the June 2018 update.
2. Recommendation
3. Update
Commercial Forestry
3.1 Harvesting has re-commenced in the Roding forest and will continue until late 2018. Preliminary planning is underway for harvesting in the Maitai forestry blocks, which is expected to commence in the winter of 2019.
Douglas Fir and Acacia Harvesting and Poisoning
3.2 Progress is detailed below.
Block |
Stand |
Species |
Status |
Area |
Brook |
22.03 |
D fir |
Harvesting complete |
5.8 |
Brook |
22.08 |
D fir |
To be undertaken in conjunction with privately owned adjacent forest block but no timeframe has been provided by their harvester. |
3.4 |
Maitai |
4.04 |
D fir |
Harvesting complete |
2.2 |
Maitai |
4.13 |
D fir |
Poisoned |
0.5 |
Maitai |
9.01 |
D fir |
Part harvested. Remaining 3 Ha to be poisoned. Block to be planted in radiata on completion. |
4.3 |
Maitai |
10.01 |
D fir |
Poisoned |
1.8 |
Maitai |
4.08 |
Acacia |
Poisoned |
1.3 |
Marsden |
42.06 |
D fir |
FAG resolved that this block not be cleared until the trees can be commercially harvested around 2027 with a review to be undertaken in 2022. |
20.3 |
Marsden |
44.01 |
D fir |
Within Cemetery block - summer harvesting only and subject to contractor availability |
0.5 |
Roding |
55.03 |
Acacia |
Poisoned |
4.6 |
3.3 Work is being undertaken by PFOlsen to investigate potential Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) liabilities on blocks where alternate uses are proposed.
Other
FAG resolutions |
Progress |
Approves the felling to waste of the remaining Brook block 21/04 at an estimated cost of $10,000. This block adjoins the Brook Waimarama Sanctuary |
Includes poisoning and fell to waste. To take place during low public use and will be co-ordinated with MTB and BWST. Poisoning has commenced. Consultation on felling with MTB and BWST to commence. All operations will be undertaken in accordance with environmental best practice |
Approves that the “Tantragee Block” (Brook) be harvested/felled to waste/poisoned, with urgency, to address H&S concerns, subject to approval of a site specific plan from the Independent Forestry Expert |
The Committee approved the site specific plan at an estimated cost of up to $80,000. All operations will be undertaken in accordance with environmental best practice. A geotechnical report has been commissioned and the site specific plan will either be confirmed or revised to suit and reported back to the Group. Verbal update to be provided at the meeting. |
Health and Safety
3.4 A Safe Work Observation (SWO) was undertaken by Peter Gorman on 1 August in the Roding catchment. Mr Gorman will be in attendance to answer any questions. A joint SWO with the entire Group will be planned for next winter when Maitai harvesting work re-commences.
3.5 An incident occurred on the 8 August 2018 at the Roding catchment where a logging truck got stranded crossing the river, when the left hand wheels of the truck fell off the side of the Roding concrete splash. The incident has been logged into Council’s health and safety system and PFOlsen have commenced an investigation. PFOlsen will be in attendance to speak to the issue and to answer any questions.
Finance
3.6 Harvesting net revenue for 2017/18 was $2.4M against the full year budget of $1.96M.
3.7 PFOlsen report that a softening of export log prices is expected from August 2018 as a result in the devaluation of the Chinese currency and this follows on from an all-time high recorded in July 2018.
3.8 The annual forest revaluation for financial reporting purposes has been completed and the valuation is $4.399M, which is 24% less than the previous year. The drop in valuation is as a result in the amount of harvesting that has been carried out over the last year been higher than the overall growth of the tree crop and increase in price over the same period. Refer to Attachment 1 for the full assessment.
4. 5-Year Harvesting Plans
4.1 No further changes to the agreed harvesting plan are proposed. Attachment 2 shows the PFOlsen Annual Forestry report (July 2017 to June 2018).
5. Alternate Uses
5.1 Council agreed to retire some 140Ha of forestry and consider alternate uses. The Group resolved at the 12 June 2018 meeting as below.
Approves the revised specific site plans as presented by LandVision at the 12 June 2018 Forestry Advisory Group meeting, subject to further refinement on financial implications, priorities and consultation, relating to Alternate Use of the stands to be retired from commercial forestry.
5.2 Lachie Grant (LandVision) will be in attendance to discuss the progress of this work. Lachie and PFOlsen are co-ordinating their respective pieces of work to ensure that planning is in place for replanting to follow harvesting to ensure that no block is harvested and then remains bare. All parties are aware of the public visibility and scrutiny relating to sedimentation caused as a result of forestry activities and the need for revegetation to commence as soon as possible after harvesting.
5.3 The Brook block (21/04), harvested around 2 years ago, was awaiting the outcome of the alternate use discussion before commencing planning of replanting. The Group agreed at the June meeting that this block be replanted with a combination of indigenous species and exotic forest. The block is currently regenerating in broom, gorse and wilding pine. The block will require spraying to rid the area of wilding pine and gorse and then replanting in Kanuka and Totara. The cost to undertake these works is estimated at $96,000. Refer to Attachment 3 for the LandVision report.
5.4 Replanting and weed control has been provided in the Parks and Active Recreation activity and Landscapes Reserves sub-activity as detailed in Attachment 4.
5.5 Officers were also requested at the 12 June 2018 meeting to investigate access to the Government’s $1 Billion Tree Fund and to co-ordinate a possible application with Ngati Koata. LandVision has made contact with Ngati Koata and will provide the Group with an update at the meeting.
5.6 The Catalyst report also recommended replanting of buffer zones to be implemented on completion of harvesting works and those were accepted by Council (refer to Attachment 5). An assessment of these setbacks is being made to the guidance provided in the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry to ensure consistency. The Catalyst report also noted specific setbacks of 100m for blocks along the Maitai South Branch and 200m for blocks along the Maitai Dam edge. Blocks already harvested (and replanted with radiata) in both the Roding and Maitai catchments now need decisions as to what those setbacks are to be replanted with. Refer to Attachment 6 for analysis from LandVision.
6. Forestry Stewardship Council Accreditation (FSC)
6.1 The Group in November 2017 resolved:
Approves, in principle, that Nelson City Council join the Forestry Stewardship Council Accreditation scheme and approves PFOlsen undertaking work to prepare the management plan at an upper estimated cost of $10,000.
6.2 PFOlsen are finalising the draft report and are also preparing a consultation document and will bring that back to the Group for sign-off before consultation commences. Any feedback from that consultation will be considered for possible inclusion in the final plan before seeking accreditation.
Author: Alec Louverdis, Group Manager Infrastructure
Attachments
Attachment 1: A2027143 - PFOlsen Tree Crop Valuation ⇩
Attachment 2: A2039914 - PFOlsen Annual Forestry Report (July 2017 to June 2018) ⇩
Attachment 3: A2023324 - Brook (21/04) Replanting Schedule ⇩
Attachment 4: A2027255 - Replanting / Weed Control Budgets ⇩
Attachment 5: A2023151 - Catalyst set-back extract ⇩
Attachment 6: A2040702 - Set back buffer zones (Matai/Roding) ⇩
Important considerations for decision making |
1. Fit with Purpose of Local Government The regular updates support the effective and efficient management of Council’s productive forests. |
2. Consistency with Community Outcomes and Council Policy The FAG aligns with the following outcomes - Our Council provides leadership and is supported by an innovative and sustainable economy. |
3. Risk The FAG has been set up to specifically have an oversight on all things relating to forestry to reduce the risk to Council. |
4. Financial impact The FAG has been set up to monitor forestry activity and to manage income and expenses accordingly. The expenditure recommended in this report is in line with this oversight. |
5. Degree of significance and level of engagement This update report is of low significance. The FAG has assessed the Alternate Use Management Plan and agreed on an appropriate level of engagement on specific sites. |
6. Inclusion of Māori in the decision making process Maori have not been consulted as part of this report. |
7. Delegations The FAG’s TOR powers to decide include: “a. Forestry and harvesting management plans (including replanting) as prepared by the Forestry contractor and endorsed by the independent forestry external expert; b. Engagement of consultants required to undertake all works necessary to guide recommendations to the Governance Committee and Council.” |