We’re harvesting two blocks of pine trees on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne.
The harvesting operation means we need to close sections of Valley Road to make sure everyone stays safe.
Residents, businesses and those visiting businesses within the road closures will still have access most of the time, aside from short periods when trees are being felled close to the road edge.
Detours are in place via Arawa Road, Goulstone Road and Alexander Avenue while the operation is underway.
Why?
The trees are well overdue for harvest and are now at a size and age where they are posing a health and safety risk to road users, and to a lesser extent, nearby residents and businesses.
It’s critical that the trees are harvested, as the risk of trees falling down and the hillside giving way only increases with time.
When will it happen?
Harvesting started on 20 January 2025 and is expected to take up to six weeks, dependent on weather conditions and access.
Work will be completed between 7am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Road closures will be in place between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
What happens after the harvesting is finished?
The blocks will look quite bare, but the intention is that both blocks will be replanted with native species.
Frequently asked questions
We've put together some frequently asked questions that should help explain the project.
Please contact us if you have any questions or comments.
- What’s happening?
We’re harvesting two blocks of pine trees on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne.
The harvesting operation means we need to close sections of Valley Road to make sure everyone stays safe. Residents, businesses and those visiting businesses within the road closures will still have access most of the time, aside from short periods when trees are being felled close to the road edge.
A helicopter will be helping in the final stages of the harvest, due to the steep terrain on the northern block.
- Where exactly are those blocks?
The two blocks are located at numbers 59 and 93a on the eastern side of Valley Road in Whakatāne, between Alexander Avenue and Arawa Road.
- Why are we harvesting the pine trees?
The pine trees were planted approximately 45 years ago. The trees are well overdue for harvest and are now at a size and age where they are posing a health and safety risk to road users, and to a lesser extent, nearby residents and businesses.
It's critical that the trees are harvested, as the risk of trees falling down and the hillside giving way only increases with time.
- When will the operation take place and how long will it take?
Harvesting started on 20 January 2025 and will take up to six weeks, dependent on weather conditions and access.
Work will be completed between 7am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday.
- Who is doing the work?
Tramroad, a reputable contractor, has been engaged for the harvest and sale of the trees. Tramroad has previous harvest management experience in an urban environment.
- Will the road be closed?
Parts of Valley Road will be closed during the operation from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
During the helicopter stage, the road will be closed from 7.30am to 2.30pm.
. Detours will be created via Arawa Road and Goulstone Road for traffic accessing other areas in Whakatāne.The road closures will be done in two stages to minimise disruption to Valley Road users. Please note the exact address locations are subject to change during the operation.
Stage 1
50 Valley Road to 68 Valley Road.Stage 2
62 Valley Road to 98 Valley Road.
- Will I still be able to access my home and/or business within the road closure?
The short answer is yes. There will be access for residents and those visiting, or working at, businesses during the operation. There will be short periods (no more than 15 minutes) where access will not be permitted due to trees being felled near the road edge.
Our traffic management team will need to manage your access during this time.
- What time can I expect things to be happening?
Operations will start at 7am and finish by 3.30pm each day, Monday to Friday. Trucks and other noisy vehicles and equipment won’t start before 7am. Please note that the road closures will start at 9am.
- What will happen to the slash?
Slash is the term used to describe tree waste left behind after the harvest.
In this operation, slash is being managed in line with the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF). Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) is the organisation responsible for monitoring compliance with the NES-CF in the Whakatāne District. We’ve been working closely with BOPRC compliance officers in the planning and delivery phase of the project.
Part of our obligations under the NES-CF is to remove slash that is longer than two metres and with a large-end diameter of more than 10 cm from erosion-prone land, as long as it’s safe to do so. The slash will be placed on stable ground; for example, worked back into access tracks and skid sites. Any excess slash (that can’t be worked into stable ground) will be chipped and left on-site or removed entirely.
Once slash is on stable ground, the risk of it moving is low. In the very rare event that slash does move from the Valley Road sites downhill to the land below, there is a large ‘buffer zone’ of flat land between the pine block and neighbouring properties. Therefore, the risk of slash damaging neighbouring properties is considered extremely low. It’s also worth noting that slash movement and its associated impacts like those seen in the Hawke’s Bay region are a result of slash moving via waterways. There are no waterways within the Valley Road pine blocks that are capable of moving slash.
- Are the trees on the reserve below the pine block being removed?
There might be some minor damage to the trees in the adjacent reserves as a result of the operation, but there are no plans to remove them.
- Have iwi been involved in the process?
Ngāti Awa, as mana whenua, has been engaged throughout the project and supports the removal of the trees.
- How are the environmental risks being managed?
The operation will be carried out under the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry (NES-CF), administered and monitored by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. The standards provide nationally consistent regulations to manage the environmental effects of forestry. A comprehensive plan has been prepared that addresses the potential environmental impacts such as erosion and sedimentation, disturbance to wildlife, noise and dust.
- Are there any significant sites on the blocks?
A terrace site (W15/1182) has been identified. An archaeological assessment has been undertaken, and authority has been granted by Heritage NZ to harvest the trees within the site. Measures are being taken to minimise disturbance to the site. We are also working with Ngāti Awa with this in mind.
- Are there any kiwi present in the blocks?
We've worked with Whakatāne Kiwi Trust and Tieke ā Mua to understand the presence of kiwi in the area. This investigation confirmed there was no kiwi sign or scent on either of the Valley Road blocks before the harvest operation started. Experts have said that should any kiwi enter the operational zone, there is plenty of neighbouring forest to seek refuge. Contractors were also given advice on how to identify kiwi presence, and what to do in the event that they come across a kiwi or kiwi sign.
- What will happen to the harvested trees?
All marketable timber will be taken off-site for sale. The contractor is managing the sale of timber on behalf of us.
- What will the blocks look like after the operation?
The landscape will look very different, particularly towards the top of the hillside. The upper part of the hillside will appear very bare. The lower parts will still have pockets of trees, both exotic and native. Wherever possible, all trees except for pine and eucalyptus will be preserved.
We considered removing pest plants such as privet; however, these trees will be left to stabilise the hillside during the restoration phase.
- What’s the plan for the blocks after the harvest?
The intention is to replant both sites with native trees.
- How much money will this harvest make?
Due to the age and condition of the trees, the marketable value is less. It is anticipated that the operation will be cost-neutral.
- Who can I contact if I have any questions or concerns?
Please contact us if you have any questions about the project.
For urgent enquiries, phone the Project Manager on 07 306 0585.