We will be replanting the Forest in a mix of native and permanent exotic trees, and improve the recreational tracks. This will be done over the next 20 years as we gradually retire from commericial forestry operations to focus on recreational usage.
The Forest was renamed Kingsland Forest Park to signify the change from a commercial forest to a recreational area. The Kingsland name acknowledges the efforts of Henry and Tom Kingsland, father and son, who were involved in the pine industry in Richmond from the 1920s.
Check out the wayfinding map for Kingsland Forest Park (pdf 4.4 MB). This signage also appears in places on the trails.
Alternatively, you can view the network of tracks in our region on the Outdoor Access maps(external link). Switch on the Tracks and Trails layer and zoom in on our region to check them out.
On 2nd July 2020, Tasman District Councillors adopted the Development Plan.
Read the Plan here: Kingsland Forest Park Development Plan (pdf 2.2 MB)
Appendices: Kingsland Forest Park Development Plan Appendices (pdf 1.3 MB)
Kingsland Forest is one of several forests that the Council owns to raise revenue and reduce the demand on rates. It is also the least profitable of the plantation forests the Council owns and manages. Harvest cycles impinge on recreational use of the area and on biodiversity. Harvesting can also present a downstream risk to the urban community of Richmond, particularly given the more frequent storms we are experiencing in the District.
Taking advantage of the harvesting cycle in 2020, the Council have planned to move away from commercial forestry behind Richmond, and manage the Forest solely as a recreational and biodiversity asset for Richmond.
Kingsland Forest covers about 100 hectares, most of which is planted with pinus radiata. A significant proportion of these trees are due to be harvested in the next few years. There are also pockets of native species within the forest that are being restored through additional planting and pest control by active and keen volunteers. The forest contains the ‘Barrington Gum’, a Eucalyptus regnans or mountain ash, which is reputed to be one of the tallest trees in New Zealand.
To create the Plan, we approached Te Tau Ihu iwi, adjacent landowners (including Silvan Forest owners), Nelson Mountain Bike Club, MTB Trails Trust, Forest & Bird, Keep Richmond Beautiful, Hill Street South Will's Gully Group, Native Bird Recovery Richmond, and Walking Access NZ.
During February and March 2019, we created an informal survey and made it available to users of the Forest, on our website, and promoted it on social media. This was to gauge how often and why people used the Forest, as well as what they envisioned for the future of the Forest.
The Council developed a draft development plan covering a wide range of issues for public consultation. The consultation period ran from 18 December 2019 until 6 March 2020. We held 5 drop in sessions during this time. There were 12 submitters who chose to speak to the Hearings Panel. Hearings were held on 16 March 2020, with deliberations delayed due to COVID-19 until the 2 June 2020.
We received 212 submissions.
Read all the submissions here: Spreadsheet of submissions for Draft Kingsland Forest Development Plan (pdf 19 MB)
Download the report and summary of the submissions here: Report to hearings 20-06-2020 (pdf, 2.1 MB)
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