MEDIA RELEASE
11 March 2009

THE TREE COUNCIL

Banning Of Tree Protection Rules Must Be Stopped

The Tree Council is extremely concerned about Clauses 52 and 151 in the RMA Amendment Bill, which will prohibit local authorities from protecting trees in the urban environment.

They will be making a presentation at the beginning of Auckland City’s City Development Committee, Thursday 12th March, 9.30am, so that their concerns can be heard by councillors before Auckland City make their submission to the Bill.
The Bill prohibits local authorities from having any rules that protect trees in an urban area unless the trees are Scheduled, are in a Reserve, or part of a Conservation Management Plan.

The Tree Council believes that solely relying on the Scheduling of trees for the protection of urban trees is regressive, totally inadequate and a green light for developers to wantonly disregard the ecological, aesthetic and amenity value of trees.

Sigrid Shayer, Chair of The Tree Council says, “These Clauses must be stopped. They are an insult to the widely held appreciation of the value of trees in our urban neighbourhoods and the scientific links of a healthy treed environment to the health and well-being of the human and natural environment.”

Tree Council members are also meeting this Saturday, 14 March, to openly discuss and agree key recommendations for The Tree Council’s submission to the RMA Amendment Bill, the deadline for which is 3rd April.

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