Media Release - The Tree Council
 
5th July 2010
 
Tree Council urges Auckland City to immediately schedule Rosebank Trees
 
The Tree Council is delighted to see that Auckland City’s city development committee will be considering a recommendation from its officers this Thursday, 8th July, that the heritage and landmark Rosebank Road trees be immediately notified for scheduling.
 
This follows the huge outcry about the consent given last February to the developer of the 25 acre development site at 317 –321 Rosebank Place, Avondale, now known as Jomac Place, to fell the remaining Pohutukawa and to trim the roots, and create accessways and parking within the root zone of its neighbour, a magnificent Oak, thus shortening the Oak’s life. 
 
Subsequent High Court action by The Tree Council, and grassroots community concern and action initiated by Avondale Community Gardeners, and Avondale resident, Nina Patel, encouraged Avondale Community Board to apply for the trees to be scheduled. 
 
This has since been backed up by a 1,200 signature petition and supporting letters, which will be presented to the City Development Committee this Thursday, at 9.30am, by The Tree Council, Avondale Community Gardeners and Nina Patel.  This will incorporate a deputation that the committee also explore options for creating a public reserve from the Lot on which the trees stand.
 
Not only do these landmark trees have huge amenity value, but also huge heritage value in commemorating the market garden history of the Rosebank peninsula. 
 
“The Tree Council would like to believe that the Council will now respond to the strength of community feeling and the strength of their arguments by agreeing on Thursday to a public plan change and immediate notification for the long term protection of this wonderful pair of landmark trees,” says Sigrid Shayer, spokesperson for The Tree Council.  “These trees deserve pride of place on the corner plot of land on which they stand, and so we are also asking the Council to consider purchasing this land.  This would create a green gateway to the industrial and business areas, a more pleasant environment for the wider community, and ensure a lasting legacy to the market garden history of the Peninsula.”
 
The City Development committee meets at 9.30am on Floor 15 of the Civic Building, Greys Avenue, Auckland
 
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