Tauranga City councillors are attempting to remain the last resort for the city's tree felling debates, taking the proposed final say from council CEO Gary Poole.

Proposed changes to TCC's tree management policy, including rules to better protect trees in Tauranga's public areas, will now go out for public consultation for three weeks.

Tauranga City Council's revised draft tree policy will go out for public consultation on October 1.

The new Draft Vegetation and Tree Management Policy features a series of alterations made by councillors at yesterday's City Vision Committee.

Key adjustments include TCC itself remaining the court of last resort over tree issues. The original draft left CEO Gary Poole or his delegate with the final say.

The policy's author, strategic planner Emlyn Hatch says changes made by the committee are peripheral to the central core of the policy, which remains unchanged.

These include introducing a pollen calendar and the Ogren Plant Allergy Scale to assist with decision making when trees are asked to be removed for individual health reasons.

These were untouched in yesterday's debate which focussed more on who could take part in tree discussions.

Councillor Bill Grainger introduced a clause giving people living near trees to be felled more options over replacement.

He wants adjoining property owners involved in discussions about whether trees are to be replaced or not.

Also requested is a review of the city's population of notable trees, currently more than 300.

Councillor Matt Cowley wants the pollen and allergy scales to be regularly reviewed.

'It's all pretty minor,” says Emlyn, of the changes.

'There are some wording changes overall to reflect what they perceive to be the role of trees in the city. I think anything that raises that level of discussion around trees is better.

'It's one of those council activities that pretty much polarises opinion, and we are trying get more consistent information available.”

The Draft Vegetation and Tree Management Policy will go out for public consultation for three weeks from October 1.

TCC has a long history of tree debates. The council has been the last resort for members of the public who disagree with decisions made about trees by TCC arborists.

The previous council introduced a special tree sub-committee to discuss tree issues.

It failed because the then council was unable to delegate authority and unpopular sub-committee decisions could be overturned by politicians on a divided council.