Council’s forestry approach Debate

Economic Benefits - Employment Opportunities

Option 2

The transition to mixed-species forests under Option 2 is seen as a source of employment for businesses involved in establishing and maintaining these new tree varieties. Some residents believe that the current commercial forestry primarily benefits overseas companies and offers limited local jobs, whereas the proposed changes could enhance local employment through activities like weed control and forest care. Additionally, the enhanced trail network, supported by the new forestry approach, is viewed as crucial for local businesses such as mountain bike shops, which rely on the trails for attracting clients and supporting jobs.

Table of comments:

Point No	Comment
152.1	This option will still provide employment for business's like ours establishing and tending the new exotic and native tree "crops"
206.3	Poor use of the land which benefits overseas companies and only creates a few local jobs. It also degrades the environment causing slips and damage when the trees are harvested and the run off of all the soil when its loosened, the bay is covered in deposits from this which have killed most of the marine life and significantly reduced the quality of the bay.
323.3	This is critical for biodiversity, to reduce hazards - slips, flooding, fire risk, wear and tear on infrastructure and will capture carbon in the long term.Any continuing forestry operations should have permanent plantings on all edges. Jobs will be created for weed control and caring for the forests. The fazing out plantings should include hardwood trees such as Eucalyptus saligna and sweet chestnut, Castanea sativa for durable timber production. A plan for the timing is important, to be sure it occurs.
517.1	Make the trail network in Nelson a higher priority ! The trail network in Nelson has allowed me to improve my riding level and skills to be able to compete at elite world level racing placing me 16th in the world in the Elite Female in 2023. The trail network here is like non other in NZ, these are wold class trails that have people traveling from across NZ and the globe to ride and race on and would be a huge shame if we were to loose the access to them all. Not only that but I work in a mountain bike shop, our clients are those who ride these trails, without the clients I wouldn’t have a job to go too.
987.3	We concur with the findings of the Right Tree Right Place Task Force that all current NCC commercial forests should be transitioned into continuous-canopy forest systems, mostly of mixed species, that best meet community values and address climate risks.  We support the exit of commercial forestry and the development of a climate friendly regional economy in parallel to manage the impact on job losses. Cyclone Gabrielle has demonstrated the horrific environmental impact of commercial forestry in the event of a weather event. Moving our community towards climate resilience should be considered a high priority, and commercial forestry holds us back from this.