Shane Jones
New Zealand Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones will encourage his New Zealand First caucus colleagues to support a proposed local bill that would allow the harvesting of fallen timber on West Coast conservation land. Source: New Zealand Herald
West Coast MP and Labour Cabinet Minister Damien O’Connor has also indicated he would support the bill.
That could put them at odds with the Green Party, which has opposed the activity previously.
National MP Maureen Pugh is hoping to introduce a bill to Parliament soon on behalf of the West Coast Regional Council which would allow the Director- General of the Department of Conservation to authorise the removal of some windblown trees on conservation land following bad weather.
“I have been working with the West Coast Regional Council since the Government blocked my motion to have my Members Bill on this topic introduced to Parliament in April,” Pugh said.
It is similar to legislation implemented by the former National government in 2014, opposed then by Labour and the Greens, after Cyclone Ita flattened large swathes of native forest in the region.
“This is a practical Bill which embraces environmental responsibility and supports regional economic development,” Ms Pugh said.
“Removing and processing these trees which would otherwise lie decomposing on the West Coast forest floor would provide jobs for the region along with clearing space for native regeneration – two areas which NZ First claims to be passionate about,” she said.
Jones said he would be pushing for support for the Bill.
“It would be foolish of me not to reflect the fact that people from the West Coast, they’re really keen that wood remains accessible. I know it’s on the DOC estate.”
