Removing logging from slip-hit hills won't prevent similar Gita damage, council saysBRADEN FASTIER/STUFF Properties in Otuwhero Valley near Marahau, Tasman were close to logging areas when ex tropical cyclone Gita came through the region. The national environmental standard for plantation forestry, coming into effect in May, would improve some practices, she said. However, the council is warning stopping timber operations in the hills around slip-affected communities near Abel Tasman National Park won't guarantee an end to the kind of damage caused by ex-cyclone Gita. If forestry land wasn't to be used for forestry, King questioned what else it would be used for. The national standard would not bring the necessary change quickly enough for people in areas like Marahau and Ligar Bay near Tarakohe, Weaver said.

Source: Stuff March 04, 2018 19:02 UTC