May 10, 2020
Wilding pines keep chainsaws busy
Laid off forestry workers will get the chance to fire up their chainsaws with 55 biosecurity and conservation projects given the green light.
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage say the projects in Northland, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury will employ 160 workers for three to six months.
They’re part of a $100 million redeployment support package announced in March to get the economy moving again.
Mr O’Connor says wilding pines are a $4.6 billion dollar threat to farmland, waterways and ecosystems, and each year they have left the cost of removing them rises by 30 per cent.
Environment Canterbury will manage $2 million of projects removing wilding pine infestations in the Craigieburn Forest Park and the Mackenzie Basin, with Northland Regional Council’s $1 million of projects will focus on the Awanui River, where trees are creating a flood-risk for Kaitāia, and the Kaihū River near Dargaville.
Ms Sage says some workers will go into new conservation jobs, including track maintenance, planting, and pest and weed control.
DOC is working with councils, iwi and community organisations to identify further opportunities to ramp up conservation jobs.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com