Update on tree scheduling assessments

Under Resource Management Act changes, some notable trees in urban areas, currently safeguarded by general tree protection rules, will lose that protection on 1 January 2012 unless they are scheduled.

Auckland Council invited local boards and the public to participate in nominating trees within their area for scheduling in the operative district plans of the former councils. Nominations came from all local board areas.

Most property owners with trees nominated for scheduling have been informed and arborists are currently assessing the 4000 trees across Auckland.

The council expects that by September all assessments – to see whether trees meet the thresholds for scheduling through district plan changes – will be completed.

An earlier round of 1379 tree nominations by previous councils has been assessed. Officers are currently compiling the results of these assessments.

All assessments will be referred to the Regional Development and Operations Committee, prior to the notification of the plan changes.

Before notification, local boards, affected landowners and nominators will be advised which trees have or have not been recommended for scheduling. They will also be advised how they can make a submission supporting or opposing the proposed scheduling recommendations.

Large differences in tree nomination numbers across the Auckland region means that plan change notifications, affecting the district plans of former councils, will be made progressively.

“We’re asking people to be patient with the process that will ensure the urban landscape keeps appropriate trees which add so much to our environment,” said Councillor Ann Hartley, chair of the Regional Development and Operations Committee.

“It’s an expensive and time-consuming task but necessary if we are to arrive at sensible decision making on the recommendations from the public, local boards and other interested parties.”

RMA changes principally involve trees on urban private properties of less than 4000m² and do not affect trees in parks and reserves and other public spaces including coastal pohutukawa, stream margins and areas of native bush.