Fifth fine in Tolaga Bay disaster

ERNSLAW ONE HAS BEEN ORDERED TO PAY $225,000 FOR serious forestry offending related to a storm event in Uawa/Tolaga Bay in June 2018.

The company pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges laid by Gisborne District Council.

The recent sentencing at the Gisborne District Court concluded one of the largest series of investigations and prosecutions under the Resource Management Act (RMA).

Ernslaw One is the fifth company sentenced in Tairāwhiti after severe rain events in June 2018 dislodged sediment and slash from poorly managed forestry sites. It’s estimated 400,000m3 of slash washed down hills, clogged rivers, caused serious environmental harm and damaged properties. Around 47,000m3 of the woody debris washed up on Uawa Beach.

Council Chief Executive, Nedine Thatcher Swann, says she wants the fine to be seen as a deterrent.

“Any company that pollutes our region will be prosecuted. Today’s sentencing of Ernslaw closes court action against five forestry companies from an event that devastated the community of Uawa more than four years ago.

“Our hill country is steep and erosion-prone. It must be planted and harvested with care to ensure sustainable management of our natural and physical resources.”

Ms Thatcher Swann says monitoring of consent conditions has increased.

“Storms of this intensity are becoming more frequent due to climate change. As a Council we must make sure best practice is being followed in forestry to protect our environment, people and property.”

Ernslaw’s charges relate to Uawa Forest between June 1, 2017 and June 22, 2018.

Over Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2018 intense rainfall over Uawa dislodged sediment and slash on hilly erosion-prone slopes.

The slash came from a number of forestry sites, including Uawa Forest, where Ernslaw is the holder of the resource consent and responsible for the forestry harvest and associated earthworks. Uawa Forest is owned by Timbergrow.

A week later more intense rainfall affected the district south of Uawa.

Ernslaw was also ordered to pay emotional harm reparation to each of the parties who prepared victim impact statements.

Other companies successfully prosecuted by Council from these events include Aratu Forests (formerly Hikurangi Forest Farms), Juken NZ, DNS Forest Products 2009 and PF Olsen.

All pleaded guilty – some only days before their trials started.