MPs to throw West Coat native loggers a lifeline?

LOGGING OF NATIVE TREES THAT HAVE BLOWN DOWN ON conservation land on the West Coast may be allowed to continue.

National MP Maureen Pugh is looking to introduce a bill to Parliament that would allow the Director-General of the Department of Conservation to authorise recovery of some windblown trees after storms.

A previous attempt by Ms Pugh earlier this year was blocked by the government, but now Forestry Minister Shane Jones has indicated that he would support the measure and also encourage his colleagues to do the same.

Logging of downed native trees on conversation land on the West Coast was allowed for five years from 2014 following a big storm and the last of those logs are now being harvested and many Coasters want to see this extended to future storm events as well.

Ms Pugh says she has been working with the West Coast Regional Council to facilitate her latest attempt to get the legislation across the line.

NZL