Chance for your say on wood debris issue

Woody debris is piled up along the beach near the mouth of the Waipaoa River —just one of the catchments and beach areas Gisborne District Council is seeking public feedback on over whether more money should be spent on cleaning up as part of its Three Year Plan (2024-2027) consultation. Picture by Liam Clayton

The district council wants public feedback on whether more should be spent on cleaning up large wood debris and doing it faster.

“This is one of the topics we want the public to weigh in on in our Three Year Plan 2024-2027 consultation,” the council said on social media.

“Unprecedented volumes of large wood debris (LWD) mobilised during Cyclone Gabrielle, causing widespread damage, and impacting bridges, roads, our water pipeline, homes, waterways and beaches.

“An estimated 1.4million tonnes of LWD is within our hill and water catchments at an estimated $172 million to remove.”

The council post said the priorities for clean-up were based on “risk to life, protection of communities and critical infrastructure, including the main waterpipe, bridges, roads and residential properties.”

The catchments involved  are Waimatā, Hikuwai/Ūawa, Te Arai, Waiapu and Waipaoa, while the beaches are Midway, Waikanae, Kaiti, Ūawa and Whāngārā.

Read more on large wood debris and make a submission online at bit.ly/3xp0SHY