100 year old Pohutukawa Tree given the chop

The decision made in secret last week by Auckland City independent planning commissioners to allow developers to chop down a significant 100 years old landmark Pohutukawa tree in Rosebank Road Avondale, without public notification, is just plain wrong says Auckland City Councillor Glenda Fryer.

“The Pohutukawa tree had significant ecological, environmental and heritage value to the community of Avondale and the Commissioners went against the advise of Councils own arborist when it made its decision. Indeed Councils arborist called the tree ‘exceptional’. The reason given by the Commissioners that a mature landmark tree could be given the chop was because the developer would plant other Pohutukawa trees on the site defies logic” says Cr Fryer.

Avondale Community Board tree spokesperson Catherine Farmer said, “At the very least this tree removal should have been notified because there were special circumstances. As tree spokesperson I was denied from even being informed that the application was being heard. Before the Citizens and Ratepayers Councillor changed the system in 2007 when John Banks became mayor, I would have had a guaranteed chance to have a say in the process and tell the commissioners of the importance of the tree both ecologically and historically.”

Concludes Cr Fryer “The stately Pohutukawa tree has special significance to the Avondale community and for the Commissioners to categorically state there were no ‘special circumstances’ to notify this application were manifestly wrong. In this case the developers could be said to be acting like tree vandals. This is yet another example of independent commissioners making decisions that make developers wealthier rather than acting for Auckland’s environmental and historical good. Any newly planted Pohutukawa ‘Maori Princess’ trees, which are a smaller, straighter and less grand variety of Pohutukawa than is presently there, will take 100 years to grow to the same age. The Avondale community shouldn’t have to wait 100 years to get an inferior amenity back.”

The Auckland Tree Council is making an application to the High Court today to seek a ‘stay of execution’ and wants a judicial review of what they feel is a flawed decision-making process.

ENDS

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