Are Tree Protections Adequate?
This week the Waitemata Local Board is to vote on whether to confirm the felling of the Western Springs Pines. Resource Consent has already been given so in theory Community Facilities could go straight ahead. The project is so controversial though it has been seen right, in the name of democracy, to explore fully this course of action, and consider it with a climate change lens. The reasons to delay are:
There has been a huge amount of tree loss across Waitematā in the last ten years and so a report was commissioned by the last Waitematā Local Board: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/articles/news/2018/10/study-measures-urban-tree-loss/ The bulk of tree loss was on private land but with most of the protected trees coming down on public land. This report triggered an urban forest strategy which aims to increase tree canopy substantially by 2050 but the budget for this year is only . Meanwhile, with the CRL and substantial road works, water works etc a number of trees have been and will been cut down.
My view is that trees should only be cut down where necessary so that well-located housing and alternative forms of transport can be created that will lock in lower emissions for the next century, like the CRL and cycle-lanes. The Waitematā Local Board is recommending that street trees that are removed are replaced on at least a two for one basis.
An Urban Forest Strategy was also approved in the last term and $11,000 dedicated to identifying suitable planting sites across the Waitematā. This year another $10,000 is allocated to plant trees in four small reserves. This amount will be topped up with $65,000 from Community Facilities. These are good initiatives but is it enough?
It has been said often that Auckland Council, no longer able to impose blanket protections on trees, can do little. However there is a tool to protect trees, and avenues of trees. Here is a map that former board member Tava made of protected trees in Waitematā : https://vernontava.com/2017/07/21/scheduled-trees-in-the-waitemata-local-board-area/ Can you see the special trees you love on this map? If not, it is possible to nominate the scheduling of a tree yourself by following these guidelines: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/working-on-around-trees/Documents/guidance-for-nominating-notable-trees.pdf You will have more luck if the tree is on your own property or on a public reserve (or street). For more information do click on https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/building-and-consents/working-on-around-trees/Pages/what-is-notable-tree.aspx.
The rules are trying to balance making it easier to develop homes in the urban realm with the desire to protect trees. It is arguable that the balance is now too much weighed towards development rather than tree protection and needs to swing back the other way. Only a third of the trees cut down were removed to facilitate a real development. In the great majority of cases there was no development at all but perhaps, in the owners mind ensured that if the rules changed their land would have great subdivision and profit potential. Ironically trees and leafy suburbs may actually add to property values: https://www.arborday.org/trees/benefits.cfm.
Sometimes trees do need to make way for cycleways, for more homes within the urban limit but at the moment the point scoring system (a tree needs to get 20 points out of 40 to go on the schedule) does not factor in the amenity of trees, any tree, in cooling streets and homes, in sequestrating carbon, of providing shade, of supporting the ecosystem as a whole, for improving wellbeing. Now that a climate lens - both mitigation and adaptation - needs to go onto the management of the urban forest, and street trees, perhaps it is time for that swing towards better tree protections happen.