Auckland needs an urban forest strategy - Goff

Auckland mayoral candidate Phil Goff today said an urban forest strategy would be a key element of his mayoral policy agenda, as he welcomed the release by Pure Advantage of its forest strategy paper.

“The issues highlighted by Pure Advantage are not just about forests in our regions. There are compelling economic and environmental grounds for planting permanent forests in our cities.

“Climate change is a major economic and environmental issue and urban New Zealand cannot leave solutions to it to the regions. Forests play a crucial role in absorbing carbon emissions. Auckland, as New Zealand’s largest city by far, has to play a role commensurate with its size. We have to do more to offset our emissions.

“We need to plant trees to deal with our environmental challenges. Riparian planting will enable us to improve the water quality in streams, rivers, lakes and harbours. Siltation of the Manukau, the Waitemata, the Kaipara and the Hauraki Gulf will be reduced if we see substantial plantings on islands and coastal land. We should be planting more trees in our regional parks. A lot of has been done on Motutapu. Auckland Council should lead the way in expanding these plantings.

“The city itself lacks tree cover. We like to talk about the importance of our ‘leafy suburbs’. We know the increased well-being which communities enjoy when their suburbs have abundant trees. Auckland is already blessed with a great natural setting. We could significantly increase the level of urban forestation, and help to transform this city to make it even better.

“There is a role for Auckland Council, working alongside groups like Pure Advantage, the Department of Conservation, Project Crimson and other environmental and conservation organisations, and schools, businesses, and community groups, to transform Auckland, improve the environment and our well-being, and tackle climate change.

“Closer to the election, I will unveil an Auckland urban forest policy. As the report released today states, all New Zealanders need to think about how to get more trees in the ground. Aucklanders who lack the land for planting themselves would welcome ways to support the trees which offset their emissions.”

ENDS

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