Major concern about threat of forest fire

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

Opinion

Under weak administrative monitoring of commercial afforestation mandatory requirements, and now the forecast El Nino threat, forest fire threat in our region is a realistic possibility of major concern.

Commercial forestry staff in the past were trained in handling and containing forest fires.

They had been trained in the use of protective apparel, communication, transport and appropriate gear, along with being kept upgraded.

Alarmingly, this has all been shelved and considered non- essential. If not, why is it deepening public concern is being increasingly expressed.

With our large area of protection afforestation, fire control and its containment must be top priority. Without it, a fire could totally decimate the East Coast

regional economy and social existence.

Where is the plan, the trained personnel, communication, the gear, vehicles and maintained access to designated areas, previously established.

This doesn’t exist today and our regional district council administrators are responsible.

The East Coast Forestry Project has also missed the bus through administrative procrastination.

What does it take for our elected councillors to look outside their tunnel-visioned myopic interests and formulate policy protecting our resource base and social wellbeing? Show proactive initiative, not post-action initiative cleaning up the mess, as the slash debacle demonstrated.

TONY HARVIE