Urban Tree Felling Revs Up

MEDIA RELEASE
20 August 2009
THE TREE COUNCIL and NEW ZEALAND ARBORICULTURAL ASSOCIATION

Urban Tree Felling Revs Up

The Tree Council and the New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZAA) are appalled that Clause 52, banning general tree protection rules in urban environments, is still proposed to remain in the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill following this week’s release of the Local Government and Environment select committee’s recommendations.

The government has blatantly ignored the large proportion of submissions which objected to this ban. In addition it has totally ignored the invited recommendations from the NZAA on how to revise the existing general tree protection rules to make them less prescriptive and less costly to administer. In essence, they refused an offer of free consultation from experts in the industry to come up with a solution that would not only save the government and the tax payers money, but would assist in protecting the environment as well. This is an oversized sledgehammer approach rather than a more appropriate revision.

If the Bill goes through, which may be as early as next week, developers will now be able to clear fell a site and not have to replant to replace any lost trees. Developers will also more likely damage boundary trees with impunity, due to proximity to heavy machinery and cutting of roots. Many of the trees that previously had applications to be felled refused on the grounds of their contribution to the community and the environment, will now be cut down – there are many in Parnell for example. Many coastal Pohutukawa will be cleared.

General tree protection rules were judged by the Environment Court in 2002 to be necessary in order for Councils to carry out their obligations under Part 2 of the RMA. The alternative method of protection allowed in the Bill, through listing individual trees to be protected in the District Plan, is time consuming, expensive and very limited. It can cost from $500 a tree for Councils and $2,000 for an individual (with a required deposit of nearly $4,500) and usually can only be done with the land owner’s permission.

We believe that trees are a community asset and a contribution to the greater good, human and environmental, not just an individual property right. We will continue to work to that end.

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