No concerns about forestry slash in Mid Canterbury
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury is at risk of future flooding but there is no major risk of forestry slash causing the same devastation that occurred in the upper North Island.
The location of forestry blocks and the geography of the region meant there was a low risk from forestry slash build-up in the rivers, Ashburton District Council group manager business support Leanne Macdonald said.
“The recent rainfall events that resulted in the large-scale mobilisation of tree slash in the Tairāwhiti, Hawkes Bay, and Nelson region were related to large-scale forestry covering significant catchments characterised by steep terrain and erodible soils, which is quite different to Mid Canterbury’s landscape.
“It is very unlikely to have slash from the council’s plantations entering rivers during flood events.
“Most of the council plantations are on the plains away from rivers.”
In the forestry industry, slash is considered any vegetative debris generated by the forest – all the parts of the tree not utilised following harvesting including branches.
Macdonald said slash that is mobilised during a flood can include harvesting slash from a plantation but can also include other trees involved in landslides and the vegetative material from the river berm including willows, poplars, and various weed species.
That occurred in the Ashburton River in the 2021 floods.
Slash generated during a harvesting operation is ultimately the responsibility of the forest owner, Macdonald said.
“When engaging contractors to harvest plantations, the treatment of slash is a priority and can form part of the sign-off for operations.
“Ideally, slash piles will be avoided or at the very least, reduced below three metres high.
“At the end of harvesting, the cutover area will have the slash windrowed to allow access for replanting. The practice of burning slash was stopped many years ago.”
The treatment of slash is addressed in logging plans required by the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry and Macdonald said the plans are required to be submitted to both district and regional councils.
The council’s forestry plantations cover 1330 hectares, of which Macdonald said 1079ha is currently stocked, with 22hawaiting to be restocked this winter.
Forestry slash has become a major talking point following Cyclone Gabrielle, with the government launching a ministerial inquiry that will make recommendations to improve land use, including changes needed to practices and regulations at central and local government levels.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.5% Yes
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46.5% No
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
‘Tis the season to not get scammed ...
As Christmas gift shopping moves increasingly online, scammers are ramping up their activity across the country.
Dunedin’s Investigation Support Unit is seeing more and more people fall victim to scams and other fraudulent activity, particularly on Facebook Marketplace.
There are a few ways to avoid the scams and keep yourself safe doing online trades this holiday season, says Southern District Service Delivery Manager Senior Sergeant Dalton.
🔒 “A good first step when looking to purchase something on Marketplace is to check when the seller’s Facebook profile was created. If it’s very recent, there is a higher risk that they have just created this account for a one-off fake item.”
🔒 Another important step is to make sure the seller’s profile name and bank account name match up. “We’re seeing a lot of scammers claiming their bank account name is different because it belongs to their partner or family member - that’s a huge red flag."
🔒 “When you’re selling, never trust a screenshot anyone sends you showing that payment has been made. Check your own bank account to make sure a payment has gone through."
🔒 “Quite frankly, it’s best for all parties to agree to pay, or be paid, for items in cash and in-person. Ideally in a public place with CCTV coverage."
🔒 "If you’re buying a car, check Carjam.co.nz to see if it’s stolen or if there’s money owed on it.”
A reminder: Suspicious activity can be reported on 105
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