Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Transcription

1 by the Wanganui Rural Community Board of the Wanganui District Council 2013 NZ Community Board Executive Committee Best Practice Awards: Engaging Communities Contact: Alan Taylor, Chair Address: PO Box 637, Wanganui 4500 Phone: (06) Fax: (06)

2 Background Investigation and reports NZ Forest Owners Association A review of issues relating to the use of district roads for the transportation of forest harvest report 2003 Moore Forestry effects on low volume roads, a 30 year regional forecast report 2009 BERL Analysis of key sectors and their road use report 2011 Opus Rural pavement maintenance as a consequence of forestry activities report 2011 GHD The effects of logging traffic on district roads independent report 2012 Community and stakeholder consultation Partnering Community and stakeholder consultation and feedback Conclusion Costs and benefits Lessons learned The way forward Introduction

3 Community concerns The last two decades has seen intense afforestation in the Wanganui and neighbouring regions The large scale of forest harvest schedule will coincide, changing road usage patterns The size and remote location of the major forests will place pressure on rural road maintenance for both public use and harvest sustainability Community Board became concerned about the levels of service achievable with the current maintenance budget allocation trend Stakeholders consider that this issue was largely created as a result of heavy central government funding/investment in the 1990 s Background

4 Moore Report 2009 Focus on: Quantifying forest harvest Forest age at harvest Egress assessment Investigation and reports

5 Opus Report 2011 Focus on: Reviewing current cost of affected rural network ($28M/30yrs) Predicted cost with forestry HCV movements ($47M/30yrs) Maintenance strategies for affected roads Investigation and reports

6 Community and Stakeholder Partnering A series of meetings took place through 2011 and 2012 to move in a partnering way towards raising and addressing this issue. Stakeholders include: Central region Road Controlling Authorities Horizons Regional Council New Zealand Transport Agency Forest Owners Association Road Transport Association Forestry Contractors Ministry for Primary Industries Federated Farmers Department of Conservation Tamaupoko (local iwi) Wanganui District Councillors and Mayor Consultation

7 Community and Stakeholder Consultation It was generally accepted that the predicted harvest volumes to be extracted were correct, but stakeholders didn t believe that forestry was likely to impact on the rural roading network This was based on the NZ Forest Owners Association 2003 Frame Group report Agreement was reached to carry out an independent peer review of all information Consultation

8 Two reviews were carried out The first one, by BERL, was an analysis of primary sectors and their road use This enabled an independent review, by GHD, focused on the expected traffic loading from forestry against other key sector generated traffic loading and the consequent damage to the road pavement Independent review

9 Independent reviewers conclusion: The pavement maintenance costs difference between the current forward works programme ($28M/30yrs) and the increased costs ($19M/30yrs) associated with forestry traffic were considered suitable The pavement maintenance costs should be distributed pro rata according to the proportion obtained using the productivity of each farming sector in the district In the Wanganui District forestry currently accounts for 67% of the heavy vehicle movements generated in the region by the primary industries Independent review

10 Community and Stakeholder Consultation September Second round of STAKEHOLDER consultation took place: It was generally accepted that the predicted harvest volumes to be extracted were correct, and that It was likely that forestry will have an impact on the rural roading network Agreed options: Targeted rates (although not favoured by forest owners) Rural road designation limited use Rural road designation time of year logging restrictions Reduced levels of service temporary Reduced levels of service permanent Inter-district boundary consistency Formation of a lobby group (although stakeholders recommended not to proceed with forming a lobby group) More consultation

11 Community and Stakeholder Consultation 13 September December 2012 Due to the geographical spread and the need for engagement, a second round of COMMUNITY consultation meetings took place in the 7 distinct rural communities: Mangamahu Memorial Hall Kakatahi School Fordell Hall Horrocks Park Hall Mowhanau Community Hall Kaitoke School Brunswick School The Community Board took this opportunity to raise other matters and for matters to be raised with them. There was plenty of time for general discussion, along with biscuits and a cup of tea. More consultation

12 The options were discussed with the rural communities and their views are: Targeted rates/user pays (i.e. forest owners should pay): supported Rural road designation limited use: supported Rural road designation time of year logging restrictions: supported Reduced levels of service temporary: supported (if safety concerns are addressed) Reduced levels of service permanent: disapproved Inter-district boundary consistency: supported Formation of a lobby group: supported The community also expressed concern over the conflict between logging trucks and other road users, especially related to rural schools. The Community Board took their concerns on board and is working through this issue with the relevant schools. Community feedback

13 Summary This project commenced in 2009 and the investigations, reviews and consultation processes have just been completed (2013) The Community Board was aware that this wasn t just a local issue and consequently involved central, regional and local government agencies, NGO s, stakeholders, iwi and the Wanganui community in this initiative The Community Board now has a clear direction on the implementation of options that can mitigate the effects of forestry on rural roads and the impact on the rural community The investigation and reporting costs for this initiative have been $97,000 and was 75% financially assisted by the New Zealand Transport Agency The benefits to Wanganui is the mitigation and management of a $19M blow out The wider benefit has been the sharing of information, processes and outcomes with other agencies, so they in turn can opt to take mitigation action This initiative also successfully raised the profile of the Community Board with the communities they represent Conclusion

14 Lessons learnt Cast a wide net to ensure the greatest community of interest is captured Share the understanding of the gain/pain consequences Share the meeting notes, minutes, information and documents with all stakeholders It will take longer that you d think Be prepared to have multiple rounds of consultation, including dovetailing with other community meetings Challenge your assumptions Not all roads are created equal - some rural communities were affected more than others Look into win-win-win options This initiative s approach methodology and outcomes are transferable and applicable to all New Zealand regions When revenue is at risk there will be obstacles An independent point of view can clear obstacles Conclusion

15 The way forward This investigation and consultation process has taken 4 years of determined drive by the Wanganui Rural Community Board. Options and solutions have been sought to both mitigate and manage the effect of forestry activity on the Wanganui District Council s roads whilst not compromising the parent Council s outcomes. These are: Economic prosperity Community partnership A safe and healthy community Active and culturally rich community Environmental sustainability While this will be an on-going issue, through continued effective engagement with our rural communities, we will continue to endeavour to mitigate the effects of forestry on our rural roads. Conclusion