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Progress on Forestry
Our forestry team has opened dialogue with Ngati Koata and hopes this may eventually lead to some changes in the way they manage their forests. For example, we have built up expertise in alternative approaches such as diversified planting with fast growing exotic and native species, which would allow continuous canopy forestry.
Council has recently taken a decision to register its forests with the ETS, which may see them looking at options other than pine. Well done to Cr Rachel Sanson for her tenacity on this issue.
Meantime there is growing awareness and news coverage of the downstream environmental impacts of sediment from the mass harvesting of pinus radiata.
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Monitoring
We now have our Riverwatch Probe, bobbing about at a site in the river between Girlies Hole and Clouston Bridge. Having a continuous monitoring system gives us more useful data on factors such as temperature, turbidity and pH levels. Our information will provide a useful comparison for Council, with their continuous monitor at Avon Terrace. FOM is looking to use the probe within the catchment at sites impacted by clear-fell harvesting.
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River News
There are a couple of trout enjoying life below Clouston Bridge, and in other wildlife news a seal recently snacked its way (on eels?) all the way to the Waahi Taakaro Golf Course and in the area of human endeavour – a jet boat was spotted well up-river after the heavy rain in October.
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Submissions submissions!
If you’re struggling to submit on the Maitahi-Baview subdivision, spare a thought for our team who are at their keyboards on behalf of the river fairly frequently. Recent submissions have been made on the replacement of the RMA with the Natural and Built Environments Bill, flooding aspects of the Nelson Plan, the Nelson City Spatial Plan, the Nelson Future Development Strategy, the future of walking and MTB tracks and the issue of parking on Domett St.
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Project Mahitahi
The Council project, backed with Jobs for Nature government funding is working to restore the ecosystem of the Maitai/Mahitahi Valley, and building on work that catchment landowners and the wider community have been doing for many years. During this first year, staff have planted a whopping 30,000 native trees, trapped more than 1000 possums, set up and monitored 98ha of trapping network for rats and mustelids, and tackled 26ha of pest.
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Friends of the Maitai helped out at a recent planting day for new citizens near Nursery Hole.
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At the Library
You can see more of the work that’s been achieved through Project Mahitahi, with some photos from the Friends of the Maitai efforts at Groom Creek, in an exhibition at Nelson’s Elma Turner Library. It runs until 5 December 2021 – and while you’re there, pick up a packet of eco-sourced seeds, or a ‘Go Fish’ card game featuring native NZ fish (while stocks last).
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Christmas Afternoon Tea
Another year of river care has gone by and it’s time to celebrate. Please join us on Friday December 3 at
2pm at Groom Creek (just past the Golf Course). Bring a plate to share and your own drink. As an outdoor event we expect spacing to be no problem and we will supply hand sanitizer. If the weather is wet we will gather at Jacquetta’s carport area at 11 Harper St.
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More on the Maitahi-Bayview Subdivision
If you decide to make your own submission on the planned subdivision in Kaka Valley, you could use the text below, or amend it, and add your own reasons where the submission form gives space for that, using the link below.
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Provisions that the submission relates to:
Water quality, river ecology and associated habitat, the amenity value of the river and Maitai Valley, traffic impact.
Reasons – state your own reasons
The decision we seek from the Council is that:
Private Plan Change 28 be rejected unless there are changes to ensure robust protection and improvement of water quality, river ecology and associated habitat; and that there are measures to ensure the river (particularly the swimming holes) and the amenity value of the Maitai Valley and is adequately monitored and protected. This would need to include measures to reduce and calm traffic.
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Friends of the Maitai’s ongoing costs are low, but we always welcome donations and would love to hear from any supporters who feel they could make a regular contribution. one coffee a week costs $16 a month - just to put it in a day-to-day context.
Our kiwi bank account is: 38-9016-0313862-00
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