The pine trees at Baxters Knob, Aotea, will be removed over the next few months and replaced with native vegetation.

The pine trees will be removed by Aotea subdivision developer Carrus Corporation and the Porirua City Council.

"The trees have always been earmarked for removal and are at a stage where they are at risk of falling down and becoming a safety risk," says Carrus's Project Manager Barrie Shute.

Most of the area currently covered by the trees is due to be vested with the Council as a new 6.7 hectare reserve as part of the Aotea Development Plan.

"The existing exotic trees will be replaced with native vegetation including taupata, ti kouka (cabbage tree), griselinea, mahoe, manuka, ngaio, lemonwood and doodia sqaurrosa, a rare fern endemic to Porirua," says the Council's Leisure Assets and Services Manager Karyn Stillwell.

"This native vegetation will provide long-term ecological benefits to this particular area but will also contribute to the 'green corridors' of native bush, linking the projects of native plantings within Porirua - attracting and creating habitat for native bird species."

Future developments on Baxters Knob also include a network of pathways through the newly-planted reserve and a lookout is also possible, across Porirua Harbour looking toward Titahi Bay .

The forestry removal works will start in mid April and will take about four weeks to complete. For safety reasons, the Council advises members of the public should stay clear of the area while the work is underway.

ENDS

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