6. MOANA MACKEY (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Forestry
What reports has he received on the progress of the East Coast Forestry Project?
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Minister of Forestry) Link to this
I have seen a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry that provides the results of the East Coast Forestry Project 2007 grant funding round. All 33 applications considered, covering 3,184 hectares, have been approved for grant support. This represents a 58 percent increase in the area approved for planting in this first year of the streamlined grant-based approach. This is a very positive sign that East Coast farmers are increasingly recognising the importance of sustainable land management practices.
What other Government initiatives will contribute to better soil conservation in highly erosion-prone parts of New Zealand’s hill country?
Several new initiatives complement the East Coast Forestry Project in targeting highly erosion-prone hill country. The Permanent Forest Sink Initiative provides landowners with carbon credits for regenerating scrublands or conservation plantings. There are 30,000 hectares in that regard on the East Coast. The $10 million Sustainable Land Management (Hill Country Erosion) Programme resources regional government to tackle erosion in critical catchments. The $50 million Afforestation Grants Scheme provides further resources to accelerate planting of these lands. The technology transfer and extension components of the $175 million Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Options for a Plan of Action will assist landowners to get the most sustainable mix of land use. Collectively, these initiatives represent the first comprehensive approach of any Government over many years in tackling the well-understood but neglected erosion problems that have significant impacts on downstream flood risk.
What further reports has the Minister seen on actions to address highly erosion-prone parts of New Zealand’s hill country?