58 | FORESTRY Murray Logging Otago cable logging specialist Murray Logging won the Southern Wood Council’s Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award. Going above and beyond pays off Richard Loader to page 60 Nominated by Forest Management Ltd (FML), Otago cable logging specialist Murray Logging received the Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award at the 2021 Southern Wood Council’s awards. Managing Director Andrew Murray says it was very gratifying that FML and the Council’s judges considered his crews’ performance above and beyond from an environmental perspective. “We’ve been contracted to FML for eight years now and they have seen the extra environmental work we do and our care of the land. The Council judges referred to a number of the jobs we had been involved in over the “Logging is not always the prettiest job as far as the environment goes but there are certain things you can do to mitigate the damage and protect what you can where you can.” period including the construction of log bridges to protect waterways, when the minimum standard for machine crossings was the use of culvert pipes.” Andrew and his team determined that the area in question was environmentally sensitive and learned to construct log bridges, a technique they have since used on other projects. “The log bridge provides wider bank protection, elevating the machinery up, leaving the creek/stream bed undisturbed. About a dozen stems around 400mm diameter, 10 - 15m long are run lengthways across the creek, with 8-metre logs placed across the top for a deck. Logs placed on either side of that provide a safety edge with a slash on top. The bridge can be up lifted, reused, or cut into logs once done with.” Growing up on a farm, Andrew says he has always believed that if you look after the land it will look after you. “I’m also a keen hunter/fisherman and appreciate what the outdoors has to offer. Logging is not always the prettiest job as far as the environment goes but there are certain things you can do to mitigate the damage and protect what you can where you can.” After completing a forestry course at Telford when he was 17 Andrew joined a forestry crew on work experience. After three years, and at the age of 20, he was offered the opportunity to buy the business, establishing Murray Logging on Friday the 13th 2006. We understand the challenges New Zealand businesses face in the current climate. That’s because we’ve been supporting local businesses just like Murray Logging for over 80 years, by providing finance to help them grow. So, if you need to upgrade or purchase new equipment to get the job done faster, our team’s here for you, ready and waiting to help. THE WORLD HAS CHANGED. OUR EXPERTISE HASN’T. udc.co.nz/equipment | 0800 322 888 UDC Finance Limited. UDC lending criteria apply. TALK TO YOUR LOCAL SPECIALIST TODAY Matt Moore – Commercial Manager (Otago) | 027 436 0085
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