Nelson City Council forest management and transition plan

Nelson City Council owns and manages approximately 600 hectares of commercial forestry across its Maitai, Brook, Roding and Marsden reserves, which include water and conservation areas accessible to the public. Following extensive evaluation in recent years regarding the financial and environmental sustainability of pine forest planting and harvesting, Council has implemented a strategic policy shift.

Based on recommendations from the Right Tree Right Place Taskforce, Council has formally adopted a transition away from commercial forestry operations towards a comprehensive, continuous canopy amenity management model.

Strategic Benefits

The transition strategy is designed to deliver multiple community and environmental outcomes:

• Community and Recreation: Maximisation of amenity values and enhanced recreational access for residents
• Environmental Protection: Permanent carbon sequestration, improved flood mitigation, and enhanced ecosystem services
• Biodiversity Enhancement: Integration of pest control programmes, habitat protection initiatives, and invasive weed management across Council's entire 10,000-hectare forest estate
• Service Improvements: Anticipated increases in levels of service to the community

The forestry approach involves establishing mixed plantings of high-value native and exotic tree species that will develop into permanent forest cover. While future generations may have the option to selectively harvest premium timber, the primary objective is maintaining continuous forest canopy coverage.

Financial Investment

The Long-Term Plan allocates $9.8 million in additional funding over 10 years specifically for the transition programme, supplementing standard annual forestry operational costs. Long-term transition costs for the remaining forestry areas are estimated between $4.6 million and $29.2 million, with potential partial offset through selective timber income.

Implementation Timeline and Priority Areas

Transition activities are prioritised for the Maitai, Brook, and Marsden Forests. Initial planting operations commenced in early September 2025 in the Maitai Valley, focusing on areas above the Maitai Raw Water Pipeline. This phase included establishing mixed plantings of coast redwoods and native species. These works address Emissions Trading Scheme compliance requirements while improving slope stability in strategically significant catchment areas.

2025 Programme Updates

To support the transition, Council established a forest systems manager position in October 2024, a key leadership role responsible for overseeing the forestry management transformation.

Additional planting phases, particularly native species establishment, are scheduled for winter 2025 and beyond to optimise planting success rates.