The Impact of Forestry on Rural Roads

The Wanganui District Council story to date!

IPWEA NZ Wellington/Taranaki Branch

9 August 2013

Rui Leitão

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

• 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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

• Council 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Moore Report 2009Focus on:

– Quantifying forest harvest

– Forest age at harvest

– Egress assessment

Investigation and reports

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Opus Report 2011Focus 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Community and Stakeholder PartneringA 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Community and Stakeholder ConsultationSeptember 2012 - 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Community and Stakeholder Consultation13 September 2012 – 4 December 2012Due 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 Rural 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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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 Rural Community Board took their concerns on board and is working through this issue with the relevant schools.

Community feedback

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

Summary• This project commenced in 2009 and the investigations, reviews and consultation processes have just been completed (2013)• The Council 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 Council 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 Council with the communities they represent

Conclusion

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

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

Forestry Effects on Rural Roads

The way forwardThis 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