Tree removal at Craigavon Park to protect public safety

Auckland City plans to fell a stand of large pine trees in Craigavon Park in an effort to improve public safety at the Blockhouse Bay reserve.

Arborists have carefully examined all of the pine trees in the coastal park and have identified 42 that pose a potential risk.

The 50-year-old trees are in decline and may fall or lose branches presenting a danger to nearby power lines, roads and members of the public using the park.

Auckland City project manager, Blake Hunton, says it's important to take action to ensure the park is safe.

"We need to remove these pines because we've already had instances in which branches have snapped and caused problems with nearby power lines. It's important that we act now to make the area safe.

"The tree removal project also fits in with the new Craigavon Park management plan, which recommends that some pine trees are removed and replaced with native species," he says.

Auckland City has a resource consent for the tree removal and Treecare Services will carry out the works between Monday 28 November and Friday 2 December.

The westbound lane of Kinross Street will be closed for the duration of the works to allow a large crane to be used to remove the trees.

A traffic management plan will be in place and westbound traffic will be diverted along Endeavour Street, Armagh Road and Connell Street and Connaught Street.

Motorists travelling into the city will still be able to use Kinross Street.

Blake Hunton says the council apologises for any inconvenience the temporary road closure may cause for Blockhouse Bay residents.

He says Craigavon Park will be greatly improved when the felled pine trees are replaced with large native species of tree.

"We will replant this area with native trees and that will encourage the growth of regenerating native bush in the reserve. It will also further support native birds and other wildlife in the area," he says.

The re-planting programme will take place before June 2006.

If members of the public have any queries or require further information about the removal of the Craigavon Park pine trees, they can visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz or call (09) 379 2020.

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