The Department of Conservation (DOC) engaged Forest 360 to harvest pines which are creating a seed source of wilding pine at the end of Kashmir Rd. Wilding pines are invasive weeds which threaten to permanently alter our unique New Zealand landscapes.
Forest 360 will remove the pines, allowing native forest to regenerate and will continue to undertake pest plant and animal control in the area for five years after harvesting.
Kelly Hancock, Acting Operations Manager for DOC Manawatu, says closing access is a last resort, but several close calls from people wandering into dangerous situations have left DOC with no other options.
"Initially we kept the road open to the public during weekends, so hunters and trampers could access the local hut and track network.
"Unfortunately there have been multiple incidents, with logging trucks coming across vehicles on the road unexpectedly, hunters popping up next to felling machines while they are operating, and quite a bit of theft and vandalism occurring during weekends."
Kelly says it is great to see the local community so keen to get into the Ruahine Forest Park and make the most of the opportunities on our doorstep, but it is not safe for people to be driving or walking through an area being actively logged.
"This is really heavy-duty machinery, and an incident could lead to someone being seriously hurt. If people are going to ignore the signs and barriers and venture into the area outside of the agreed access times, we have no choice but to close the area to all public access.
"We must ensure public safety above all else, so it really leaves us with no option but to completely close the road to the public while the pines are being harvested."
There are several other ways to access the forest park nearby, such as Mill Rd.
Kashmir Rd will reopen to the public for two weeks over the Christmas/New Year period, while Forest 360 staff and contractors take a well-earned break. It will be closed again from 5 January until harvest is completed in May or June 2025.
Without the risk of public venturing into the area over the weekend, forestry operations will be able to move to six days per week so the harvest may be able to be completed sooner.
