The Government has announced $10 million for the clean-up of woody debris and forestry slash on the East Coast, which the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says is a good start but will require more funding
$10m woody debris clean-up fund good start but more needed: Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
Woody debris washed up near Bay View, north of Napier, after the cyclone. Photo / Warren Buckland
“Debris from forestry in these regions has had a devastating impact on infrastructure, rivers and communities and this fund will go some way to support the clean-up,” Henare said.
“What is clear, and was also highlighted by the ministerial inquiry led by Hekia Parata, is that debris must be cleaned up fast to prevent further damage and prepare for any future events.”
An estimated 70,000 tonnes of woody debris needs to be collected and cleaned-up in the two regions.
That is on top of the roughly 3.5 million cubic metres of unwanted silt that still needs to be dealt with in Hawke’s Bay, which the Government has already allocated $133 million toward.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council asset management group manager Chris Dolley said the $10 million for the clean-up of woody debris was a good start.
“It is a start however additional funding is likely required given the extent of woody debris in Tairawhiti and Hawke’s Bay.”
A lot of work has already gone into clearing woody debris in Hawke’s Bay, such as along the Marine Parade foreshore in Napier, and Dolley said the funding would cover some of the costs already spent.
A report from a ministerial inquiry into land use and forestry slash in Wairoa and Tairāwhiti, which was commissioned after Cyclone Gabrielle, was released on Friday.
The report recommended a woody debris taskforce be set up “to lead the planning and delivery for current and future clean-up activities across both Wairoa and Tairawhiti”.
“We think the lion’s share of the funding for that taskforce needs to come from the forest owners with the remaining contribution split between central government and councils.”
Severe slips and erosion during the cyclone resulted in woody debris washing down waterways in those regions, causing significant damage.
The $10 million fund announced on Sunday will go to Gisborne District Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.