TCC to review city’s tree policy

The decision whether or not to consult the public on proposed new rules altering the decision-making process in felling trees will be made by Tauranga City Council tomorrow.

Major proposed changes to the reviewed Vegetation and Tree Management Policy look to offer more flexibility and direction for all trees on council-owned land including roadsides and parks.


Tauranga City Council will decide tomorrow whether to take the reviewed Vegetation and Tree Management Policy to public consultation.

If councillors approve, it will be opened for three weeks of public consultation, starting October 1.

The Vegetation and Tree Management Policy was last reviewed in 2012, says TCC strategic planner Emlyn Hatch.

He says the draft modernises the policy, giving it more flexibility around decision making for councillors.

'The policy has been reviewed with the aim of the making it more durable, consistent and pragmatic for both council and public.

'Trees are one of those things that polarises opinion, some people think they're essential to a community while others think they're expendable.”

There are five major changes to the policy which cover assessment of tree and vegetation issues, engagement with the community, flexibility around decision making, balancing public benefit with potential negative impacts on individuals, and discretion around allocation of costs.

The highest priority for conservation will be older trees and those critical to the city's Tree Framework, such as those on major traffic routes, says Emlyn.

It also introduces a more scientific approach by applying the Annual Pollen Calendar and Ogren Plant Allergy Scale when considering removal of trees.

Trees on council land could be removed if a council arborist identifies them as being a threat to public or individual health and safety, or to public and private land.

If a request to remove a tree does not fall within the criteria of the policy then the final decision will rest with TCC chief executive, Garry Poole.

Former Tauranga City councillor Murray Guy is appalled by the policy review and says the issue goes much deeper than trees.

He believes the current policy is fine as it is, and the review demonstrates a further erosion of Tauranga's local democracy.

'Duly elected members have the right to make decisions about things affecting the community.

'Mayor Stuart Crosby and staff have been concerned that occasionally elected members may choose to interpret policy differently to staff.”

The community and elected representatives retain the right to apply discretion to policy or interpret it to meet the circumstances of the day, he says.

'Policies give council staff guidance and to protect them in the process of their decision making, and for the community to give them a pathway to base their own decisions.”

Fruition Horticulture managing director Sandy Scarrow also agrees that the current policy is fine and is disappointed by the review.

Sandy believes the public should trust council staff to make decisions that are within the policy. Trouble occurs when random decisions are made in private by elected councillors, she says.

'It's the separation of governance and management. Councillors are the governors, setting the policy framework. It's up to council staff to implement that policy.”

Sandy is also concerned public submissions will be restricted based on the distance people live from the trees.

A limit has been set within the draft policy on the consultation area within the community for proposed trees to be removed.

For general matters, like planned works, the limit was up to 100 metres. While for petitions regarding specific trees the limit was up to 200m.

Limits for large or prominent trees would be set by a council arborist.

'My view is that trees are a public amenity, ratepayers and citizen of Tauranga should have the right to comment on any trees that are in public reserves and whatnot.

'At the end of the day I just want council and the public to look after our trees,” she says.

To view the draft report click here.

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