Retail: $2
www.gbweekly.co.nz
Friday 17 September 2021
Carbon forest keeps growing
Overseeing the project: Looking down on volunteers taking their lunch break during the tree planting day at the Rameka Project. Photo: Rosa Volz. ROSA VOLZ
Conditions were perfect for tree planting at the Rameka Forest Carbon Project last Saturday. “Just another day in paradise” commented one of the numerous volunteers from Wellington. “I wish I could live here.” Quite right too, with perfect planting conditions, damp ground, sunshine and crystal-clear skies. Wellington-based partners Bronwen Wall and Jonathan Kennett conceived the Rameka Project in 2008. Their objective was to reforest the area with natives to sequester carbon dioxide, and mitigate climate change. Along with a friend, the couple formed a trust to purchase 48 hectares of farmland in the Rameka Valley. The block was added to in 2015 via a crowd-funded campaign, expanding the total area to 93 hectares. Since inception, over 10,000 native plants have been planted to reforest the block. Overall, the regenerating forest sequesters 3.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide per day – roughly equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions created by burning 10,868kg of coal or driving an average petrol car for 16,500km, according to https://
Billy Kerrisk 0276085606 - Sam Goffriller 0273014209
Inside:
Council Matters
THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2021
JO RICHARDS
Ack nowledging the restric tions imposed by Covid Alert Level 2, Tuesday’s meeting of Golden Bay Community Board (GBCB) was an in-person/Zoom hybrid. Core members wearing masks sat around the large conference table at Tasman District Council’s Service Centre, while other participants Zoomed in from remote locations. Board chair Abbie Langford welcomed some new faces from TDC to the meeting, including chief operating officer Leonie Rae and Kaumātua Harvey Ruru and Jane du Feu. Public Forum There was only one speaker at the virtual public forum. Dr Chris Bennett explained that he had been asked to carry out a road safety audit of the proposed upgrade to the Meihana Street-Rototai Road intersection, located near Golden Bay High School. Cutting to the chase, Chris began with his conclusion about the changes made under the Innovating Streets project. “It is a very unsafe design and should not proceed.” He said there was “an extremely high risk” of a serious accident or fatality at the intersection. One of his key criticisms of the rejigged road layout was the restricted visibility caused by large vehicles, such as milk tankers, waiting to turn onto Commercial Street. The report proposed an alternative to TDC’s favoured layout in which, amongst other modifications, the pedestrian crossing on Meihana Street was relocated further away from the junction with Commercial Street and the filter lane was reopened. Chris underlined his concern with a simple message. “It was safer before [the Innovating Streets trial].” Chair’s Report With public forum completed, the Chair’s report went straight into a discussion about the controversial redesign of the junction. Abbie started the conversation pointing out that the TDC staff report, written by senior transportation engineer Mike van Enter, recommended that the trial layout be made permanent. The 17-page report drew on consultant reports compiled by WSP and Tonkin+Taylor, as well as a survey conducted by TDC. Over the Zoom screen Mike explained that there was “a difference of opinion” between his report and Chris’s, but acknowledged there were “pros and cons”. One of the “cons” highlighted by several board members was the future development of the area adjacent...
rightcar.govt.nz/environmentalratings. Rameka Valley). This historic pack trail is named “The ideal carbon-sink tree is a native,” says after the Ngāti Tama speaker Rameka, and dates Jonathan. “Native species such as rimu and back to the 1850s when prospectors used the mataī retain more carbon than exotic pine trees route to reach the Bay via horseback. over a sustained period.” At the recent Saturday planting, some of The ongoing costs of the project are covered those who use the Rameka trails repay the privately via donations plus income generated project with their time and effort. Thirty or so by selling carbon credits from the Permanent tree planters made short work of 1,000 natives, Forest Sink Initiative. “This covers our costs for planting a number of steep areas at the top trees, bait stations and some labour as required.” end of Rameka Creek Road. Earlier efforts had The community both contributes and seen the ground cleared, allowing workers to benefits from the project. Jonathan explains use grubbers to quickly dig holes, plant and that in addition to reforestation, the project is stake trees. “a place for the public to recreate and enjoy. “Trees need to be planted close enough that We have opened the land up completely to they grow up holding hands,” explains Bronwen. the public recreationally, and in turn, the “They then form a canopy that suppresses community helps us to preserve and monitor weeds and allows larger natives to thrive.” the land. The public and volunteers keep an While surveying the scene, Jonathan tells eye on things, forming a natural surveillance The GB Weekly: “The project has never looked system, monitoring and maintaining the so good. Thanks to the council the [Rameka project.” Creek] road and ford are in great condition. Built and maintained by volunteer labour, The possums are under control due to trapping the block offers the community some 10km and ‘wobbly possum disease’, and the birdlife of spectacular trails. The most famous is a 5km has greatly improved since we began in 2008.” section of the historic Rameka Track (which in FRIENDLY For more information or toWORKMANSHIP volunteer go to ∙ QUALITY ∙ LOCAL its entirety runs from Canaan Downs to the http://rameka.carbonforest.nz/
GoldenBayPropertyServices.co.nz
for business as usual in an unusual way
Community Board
FRIENDLY ∙ QUALITY WORKMANSHIP ∙ LOCAL
FRIENDLY ∙ QUALITY WORKMANSHIP ∙ LOCAL * Window Cleaning * Water Blasting * House Washing * Gutter Inspection/Cleaning * Lawns/Grounds Maintenance * Drone Inspection/Surveys Interior ∙ Exterior ∙ Residential ∙ Commerical
Continued on page 3
With plenty of new listings coming onto the market, if you would like your own private viewing, give me a call.
Belinda J Barnes AREINZ
021 236 2840 belinda@goldenbayproperty.com Interior ∙ Exterior ∙ Residential ∙ Commerical Ph 022 086 1842 for a free quote 022 086 1842 for a free quote Interior ∙ Exterior ∙ Ph Residential ∙ Commerical Licensed Agents REAA 2008
027 690 0769 | Free Quotation
Biodynamic Gardening
Ph 022 086 1842 for a free quote
Movie Review
Online Lego
ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
1