Tree felling on hold

Controversial plans to cut down mature pohutukawa along Mount Maunganui's Marine Parade have been put on hold.

Residents concerned at the felling of the 11 trees expressed their views at an informal Tauranga City Council meeting on Tuesday.

Already two trees have been removed from the stretch between Banks Ave and Sutherland Ave and residents Richard Hart and Simon Taylor told councillors no more should go. Mr Taylor said replacement trees were not established enough to fairly replace the 50-year-old pohutukawa, which acted as buffers along the Mauao corridor down the beach.

Mr Hart disputed the council's justification that the trees were encroaching on to the road and being hit by vehicles, which the council was liable for.

However, council arborist Richard Conning said they had evidence of this and had a responsibility to act.

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Deputy mayor David Stewart said nothing else would happen to the trees until an upcoming council coastal care plan was completed. He said it appeared arborists were in a position where "you get caned for saving trees and caned for cutting them down".