Dannevirke: Have your say on new trees

Contractors have removed plane trees in four streets and consultation will begin this week as the Dannevirke Community Board looks at what the community wants to do with the empty spaces. Photo/File.

A letter and questionnaire will be hand-delivered this week to residents in Victoria Ave, King St, Edward St and Cole St, as the community is asked what should be done to replace the ageing plane trees removed earlier this year.

Dannevirke Community Board members will door-knock and deliver the letter and the questionnaire, which is to be returned to the Tararua District Council office by December 20.

Board chairman Bob Dresser stresses that this is just the start of community consultation. "We are out to get the best outcome for the residents of these areas. We are the liaison for this project and we will do our best to get the community's views."

The board wants to see the "character and ambiance" of the streets maintained, and is presenting options of new plantings of native or deciduous trees, flower beds where trees can't be planted, and an option to retain grass berms.

"We need to take the Tararua District Council's considerations on board as well," explains Mr Dresser. "Tree roots can damage facilities, streets and footpaths, cause disruption to traffic and pedestrians, and the branches can interfere with power lines. That's why a flower bed option is suggested as an alternative where trees cannot be planted."

At this week's Dannevirke Community Board meeting, Dannevirke resident Richard Twentyman spoke to the board, saying that he wanted a formal consultation process and "there should not be a rush on this".

"The community board should be working with the community to develop options - not just presenting the community with options. There needs to be a strong relationship with the community over this."

Board member Ernie Christison stressed residents and users of the streets concerned need to have their say. "Five hundred high school students and their parents use the King St area. They need to have some input too."

The board's letter and questionnaire will be available at the Tararua District Council office, 26 Gordon St, for others who wish to have their say.

The board will discuss the findings of its survey at its February meeting.

The community board meets at the district council chambers at 3pm on the first Monday of each month, except January.