Council's tree plan to be revealed

ARBOREAL AIMS: Trees are central to a soon-to-be released council strategy. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 170815WCSMTREES

The Wanganui District Council tree strategy which aims to manage the city's urban treescape will be released within the next few weeks.

Councillor Helen Craig, who chairs the council's tree policy committee, said the strategy would replace the tree policy which had been drafted in 2008.

Mrs Craig said "love them or hate them", the city's street trees were here to stay.

The strategy comes after protracted debate last year about the removal of some 130-year-old trees as part of the Taupo Quay upgrade. Mrs Craig said that issue highlighted the need for council to have clearer guidelines in future.

There was a significant cost to managing the street trees, which underlined the importance of the strategy. At present the council's total annual cost attributed directly to trees, including landscaping, is $442,000.

Added to that is the cost of removing and replacing them in the central city, including pavement work of $35,000 a year.

Mrs Craig said it was a matter of finding a balance between cost and the treescape that the community wanted.

The council set up a tree advisory group (TAG), which included local people with tree knowledge and others to provide a range of opinions. No councillors were present on it because the council wanted the strategy to come from the community.

She said TAG and council parks officers had "robustly debated the various issues of trees, birds, people and council budgets, trying to find solutions that will satisfy most interests".

"A vision for tree-filled streets is competing with the cost of tree management, the need for safe footpaths, clear drains, excessive shading and excess leaf litter."

Mrs Craig expected a draft strategy would be presented to councillors in the next few weeks and could be ready for public consultation next month or in October.

"The strategy won't please everyone. Even TAG members disagree on many points and there is always room for improvement."

TAG members included Gareth Carter, Kelly-Jean Kerr, Fiona McGowan, Marie McKay, Cath Watson and Phil Thomsen. There was also input from Colin Ogle, Marc Higgie and Bruce Dickson. Mrs Craig said anyone with specific tree issues should continue to log them at the council reception or through the "Request It" section at www.wanganui.govt.nz.