Following a Tree Council members meeting on Saturday, 14th March, there was agreement that general tree protection rules should be maintained, but that there should be a review of the criteria for protection, and the assessment process.
The Tree Council’s key message to government is that changes to general tree protection rules should be debated by the community at local authority level, through a review of the District Plan, as required by the RMA. There should not be a nationwide ban imposed by central government, as is being put forward through Clauses 52 and 151 of the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2009.
The Tree Council was dismayed, however, by the actions, at last Thursday’s City Development Committee, by the 3 Auckland City Councillors who will make up the council’s working group for their submission to the Bill. They all voted against a motion that The Tree Council’s views, as expressed in a presentation to that committee, should be considered by the working group prior to making their submission.
Sigrid Shayer, chair of The Tree Council, said, “This does not bode well for the future. They have closed their minds, they have not conducted any meaningful consultation, so whose views are they representing?”
For further information contact: Sigrid Shayer, Chair, 828 3727 or 021 058 2812 or Hueline Massey, Field Officer, 09 425 9246 or 021 150 3385.
