Thanks no doubt to the amount of email traffic flying around on the issue of tree nominations for scheduling in the Whau Ward the Local Board had a change of heart at their meeting tonight in New Lynn.
After listening to a public forum plea by Mels Barton to not only allow the public to nominate trees via their Board, but to be proactive and encourage public involvement in the process, the agenda debate took an interesting turn.
The recommendation that the Whau Local Board nominate trees itself for scheduling was lost, with only mover Catherine Farmer (Future West) and seconder & Chair Derek Battersby (Independent) voting for it. Members Duncan McDonald, Kathryn Davie, Sandy Taylor and Lily Ho all voted against.
Battersby then moved a recommendation that the Board invite nominations from the public for scheduling. This motion was amended by Catherine Farmer to enable the Board to advertise to encourage nominations and this was eventually supported unanimously by the Board.
So common sense finally prevails and the good people of the Whau ward will be able to nominate notable trees to be included in the District Plan schedule via their Local Board by 31 March.
Unfortunately those nominations will not actually be supported by the Board, who clearly don't want to be seen taking sides with the trees, but at least they will be passed onto Council for processing rather than being blocked.
In fact Duncan McDonald seemed more concerned about the fact that he might be prevented from sitting on consent hearings for chopping trees down until it was pointed out that there wouldn't be any more of these once the blanket protection was lifted. Sorry Duncan you'll need to find another job after 2012 - you can thank Nick Smith for that one!
So lets hope the Whau community takes the opportunity to nominate all its culturally, historically and ecologically notable trees to its Board so that beyond 1 Jan 2012 there may be some greenery left in the Whau.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Tree scheduling tests democracy in new Local Boards
An early test of the attitude of Local Boards towards their community's participation in decision making has developed in west Auckland. Whau Local Board Chair Derek Battersby has stated that his Local Board will not be nominating any trees in his ward for scheduling, because private property rights (to chop them down) are more important.
He has even prevented one of his elected Local Board members from placing a Notice of Motion regarding the issue at the next meeting planned for Tues 8 Feb, 6.30pm at the Board's offices at 31 Totara Ave, New Lynn. This is entirely undemocratic and against the standing orders of the Board to prevent members from raising issues by refusing to accept an Order of Motion presented within the appropriate deadlines.
The Whau ward covers Green Bay, New Lynn and Avondale and has one of the lowest levels of trees nominated for scheduling in the Region. Battersby, who lives in tree-covered (but for how long?) Titirangi, makes no secret of his support for the removal of blanket tree protection.
Under the RMA Amendment Act introduced by the National Government in 2010 the blanket tree protection for native trees on private land will be removed and from 1 Jan 2012 anyone can chop down any tree (including kauri) without the need for a consent or any consultation, even with their neighbours whose property may be directly affected by their actions.
Waitakere City, North Shore and the Auckland Regional Council, supported by the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and various Heritage Area R&R groups made an application to the Environment Court prior to the amalgamation for a declaration on whether the "Managed Natural Areas" (and other specific groups of trees) already identified in District Plans count as "a group of trees" under the new legislation. If the answer is yes then the blanket protection will remain. If it is no then places like Titirangi may face large scale clearance next year, potentially having serious consequences for slope stability and stormwater runoff. The answer is expected later this year.
In the meantime, The Tree Council, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society & others have petitioned Mayor Len Brown and Councilors successfully to set up a policy group including council staff and experts from external organisations to brainstorm a new approach to tree protection policy for urban Auckland that everyone can live with. This group has met once so far and is currently working on a paper of proposals.
With the clock ticking however Local Boards have been given the job of nominating notable trees in their wards for scheduling. For some reason (and on who's authority?) council staff have decided that only the Boards themselves and not the public may nominate trees. Some Boards are asking their community for input and taking a pro-active approach to the issue, even going so far as walking the entire ward. But not so in the Whau where it would appear the trees are doomed unless Derek can be persuaded to listen to his electorate.
You can take the initiative for your street and suggest trees for scheduling to your Local Board by downloading this form, completing it and sending it in by 31 March. It would be prudent to attend your Local Board meeting's public forum and ask to speak to ensure your suggestions will be accepted and put forward by your Board.
A list of the Local Board meetings is here.
Download more information on the new tree rules here.
He has even prevented one of his elected Local Board members from placing a Notice of Motion regarding the issue at the next meeting planned for Tues 8 Feb, 6.30pm at the Board's offices at 31 Totara Ave, New Lynn. This is entirely undemocratic and against the standing orders of the Board to prevent members from raising issues by refusing to accept an Order of Motion presented within the appropriate deadlines.
The Whau ward covers Green Bay, New Lynn and Avondale and has one of the lowest levels of trees nominated for scheduling in the Region. Battersby, who lives in tree-covered (but for how long?) Titirangi, makes no secret of his support for the removal of blanket tree protection.
Under the RMA Amendment Act introduced by the National Government in 2010 the blanket tree protection for native trees on private land will be removed and from 1 Jan 2012 anyone can chop down any tree (including kauri) without the need for a consent or any consultation, even with their neighbours whose property may be directly affected by their actions.
Waitakere City, North Shore and the Auckland Regional Council, supported by the Waitakere Ranges Protection Society and various Heritage Area R&R groups made an application to the Environment Court prior to the amalgamation for a declaration on whether the "Managed Natural Areas" (and other specific groups of trees) already identified in District Plans count as "a group of trees" under the new legislation. If the answer is yes then the blanket protection will remain. If it is no then places like Titirangi may face large scale clearance next year, potentially having serious consequences for slope stability and stormwater runoff. The answer is expected later this year.
In the meantime, The Tree Council, Waitakere Ranges Protection Society & others have petitioned Mayor Len Brown and Councilors successfully to set up a policy group including council staff and experts from external organisations to brainstorm a new approach to tree protection policy for urban Auckland that everyone can live with. This group has met once so far and is currently working on a paper of proposals.
With the clock ticking however Local Boards have been given the job of nominating notable trees in their wards for scheduling. For some reason (and on who's authority?) council staff have decided that only the Boards themselves and not the public may nominate trees. Some Boards are asking their community for input and taking a pro-active approach to the issue, even going so far as walking the entire ward. But not so in the Whau where it would appear the trees are doomed unless Derek can be persuaded to listen to his electorate.
You can take the initiative for your street and suggest trees for scheduling to your Local Board by downloading this form, completing it and sending it in by 31 March. It would be prudent to attend your Local Board meeting's public forum and ask to speak to ensure your suggestions will be accepted and put forward by your Board.
A list of the Local Board meetings is here.
Download more information on the new tree rules here.
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