Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

PGP Forestry programme takes big step forward

PGP Forestry programme takes big step forward

Primary Industries Ministers Nathan Guy and Jo Goodhew are welcoming commercialisation of new forestry technology this week as a big step forward in improving both productivity and safety.

“The Steepland Harvesting Programme is a very exciting Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) project, with $6 million in joint funding from the industry and the Government and a vision of 'No worker on the slope, no hand on the chainsaw',” says Mr Guy.

The new technology involves harvesting on steep slopes using new mechanised technology, rather than exposing forestry workers to risk.

The project was demonstrated to around 55 forestry contractors and company representatives at a Future Forest Research field day in Maungataniwha forest near Napier this week.

“These are the first products from the Steepland Harvesting Programme to be put into commercial use, which is an outstanding accomplishment,” says Mr Guy.

“Operating on steep slopes is possible through the ClimbMAX harvester - an excavator-based system that uses a computer controlled hydraulic winch system to help with traction and mobility, and allows the machine to operate safely on steep slopes.

“Four ClimbMAX harvesters are now operating in Nelson, Hawke’s Bay and British Columbia in areas considered dangerous for conventional tree felling and extraction practices. A fifth machine is currently under construction.”

The PGP programme has also refined and improved the Alpine Grapple - a hydraulic-controlled hauler grapple designed to increase grapple use on steep land - to suit local conditions. A new camera system called CutoverCam also uses wireless camera technology to provide clear high resolution video footage of forestry operations on steep slopes.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“This is a big step forward as it removes the need for ground crews to work on steep, hazardous areas. It also means that ground crews are in full view of the hauler operator who no longer needs to rely on radio messages and sound signals from the ground crews,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“An estimated 40 percent of forestry related accidents occur when forestry crew members are either tree felling or attaching and detaching the heavy chains or cables used to haul trees from the forest.

“The technology enabled through the PGP — and now available commercially — has the potential to reduce the number of work place safety incidents, while also greatly improving harvesting productivity.”

“This is another example of the success of the PGP programme. We now have 17 projects confirmed with $700 million in funding committed from both industry and Government. The potential benefit to the wider economy from these projects is expected to be around $7 billion per year from 2025,” says Mr Guy.

Ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.