Minutes of a meeting of the Forestry Advisory Group
Held in Ruma Mārama, Floor 2A, Civic House, 110 Trafalgar Street, Nelson
On Thursday 4 April 2019, commencing at 9.05a.m.
Present: Mr J Murray (Chairperson), Her Worship the Mayor R Reese, Councillor L Acland, Mr A Louverdis (Group Manager Infrastructure) and Mr P Gorman (Independent Forestry Adviser)
In Attendance: Councillor I Barker, Environmental Programmes Adviser (L Marshall), Governance Adviser (E-J Ruthven), L Grant (LandVision), and S Nuske and D Fincham (PF Olsen)
Apologies : Nil
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Resolved FAG/2019/002 |
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That the Forestry Advisory Group Excludes the public from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting. 2. The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter and the specific grounds under section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows: |
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General subject of each matter to be considered |
Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter |
Particular interests protected (where applicable) |
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1 |
Forestry Advisory Group Meeting - Public Excluded Minutes - 6 December 2018 |
Section 48(1)(a) The public conduct of this matter would be likely to result in disclosure of information for which good reason exists under section 7. |
The withholding of the information is necessary: · Section 7(2)(g) |
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The meeting went into public excluded session at 9.05a.m. and resumed in public session at 9.06a.m.
Please note that, as no decisions were made in public excluded aside from the confirmation of minutes, the record of the public excluded part of the meeting has been included in the public minutes.
2. Confirmation of Minutes - Public Excluded
3. Re-admittance of the Public
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Resolved FAG/2019/004 |
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That the Forestry Advisory Group 1. Re-admits the public to the meeting.
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4. Apologies
There were no
apologies.
5. Confirmation of Order of Business
The public excluded business having been completed at the start of the meeting, there was no further change to the order of business.
There were no updates to the Interests Register, and no interests with items on the agenda were declared.
7.1 6 December 2018
Document number M3982, agenda pages 6 - 9 refer.
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That the Forestry Advisory Group 1. Confirms the minutes of the meeting of the Forestry Advisory Group, held on 6 December 2018, as a true and correct record. |
8. Chairperson's Report
The Chair gave a brief update, noting the importance of forestry tracks needing to be closed during the period of drought and high fire risk.
9. Forestry Update - Number 7 - April 2019
Document number R9942, agenda pages 10 - 30 refer.
Group Manager Infrastructure, Alec Louverdis, presented the report.
9.1 Maitai Harvest
Mr Louverdis explained the planned timeframe for harvesting in the Maitai in winter 2020, as opposed to winter 2019, noting the requirement for a resource consent to construct a new bridge across the Maitai River.
PF Olsen representatives, Sam Nuske and Dave Fincham, answered questions regarding other forestry company bridges in the area, the potential to cost-share the bridge with other forestry companies; the shortage of engineers suitably qualified to design the bridge, and cost estimates for the harvest, taking into account the additional costs as a result of the National Environmental Standards now in place.
9.2 Marsden Cemetery Block (Removal of Douglas Fir)
Mr Nuske answered questions regarding the Marsden cemetery block, and the suggestion to leave the small area of Douglas Fir in place. He noted that the wilding calculator score for this block was considered extremely low, due to the landscape and wind exposure. It was further noted that roads in the cemetery were not designed for log truck use, and could be damaged if harvesting occurred.
The Group requested further information regarding whether the block was part of the cemetery or required for use by the cemetery in the future.
9.3 Pigeon Valley Fire
The Group acknowledged the work by PF Olsen and other forestry companies during the Pigeon Valley Fire.
9.4 Finance
There was a discussion regarding the costs imposed by Government regulations, as against the reduction in risk achieved by such regulations.
The Group requested that future Quarterly Reports reflect the latest harvesting plans, including the cost of delayed harvesting or planting, as well as the cost of adhering to National Environmental Standards, in order to better inform Council budgets going forward.
There was a further discussion regarding costs involved with pruned vs unpruned forests.
9.5 Alternate Uses
Lachie Grant, of LandVision, gave an update regarding ongoing work with regards to alternate uses of stands retired from commercial forestry. He noted he was working with Council officers and the Nelson Mountain Bike Club regarding the mountain biking area in The Brook.
There was a discussion regarding budget lines for the alternate uses programme. Mr Louverdis noted that he had presented figures on alternate use at the September meeting, and following the Group’s approval of the Alternate Use Plan, these needed review. He undertook to revise the figures and present them to the next Group meeting, and noted that these would feed into Annual Plan figures.
There was a discussion regarding the dry summer, and the need to plan to continue activities such as mountain biking, where possible, through managed fire risks. There was a further discussion regarding fire risks of trees close to housing, especially Walters Bluff following the fire in that area in February. Mr Louverdis noted that this was not part of forestry management, but that he would liaise with the Parks and Reserves Team to bring the Group’s concerns to their attention, and report back to the next meeting. He added that reserves-based risks would be included on Council’s Risk Register, and risks relating to commercial forestry would be reported back to the next Group meeting.
There was a general acknowledgement of the work of forestry companies during the Pigeon Valley fire, including their willingness to minimise operations when required, as well as their involvement in firefighting efforts.
9.6 Tantragee Tree Removal
Sam Nuske, of PF Olsen, gave a Power Point presentation (A2171177). He explained that the geotechnical review now supported staged poisoning, except for the area around the Dun Mountain trail, for public safety reasons. He advised the preferred option was now to poison the trees progressively over five years in zones 1 and 2, and to fell and remove trees to a top skid site in zones 3 and 4.
Mr Nuske answered questions regarding the potential risks to houses during felling. He said there was no need for a debris fence, but that evacuation of a small number of houses would still be required during the hours that felling was undertaken.
Mr Nuske answered questions regarding how to limit damage to the Dun Mountain Trail during felling, the likely timeframe felling would take, and the evacuation of houses during felling hours.
Mr Grant answered further questions regarding replanting of the area following poisoning of the pine trees.
There was general agreement that consultation with affected residents should start, and there was discussion regarding how to undertake this. It was agreed that Mr Louverdis would work with Mr Murray on a communications and consultation plan, and that updates for councillors would be provided by way of the Councillors’ Newsletter.
There being no further business the meeting ended at 10.49a.m.
Confirmed as a correct record of proceedings:
Chairperson
Date