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Thursday, 18 August 2022

Tree replacement requests granted in Kelvin Peninsula

Two native and non-spreading exotic trees will be planted for every one tree removed

Queenstown View Of Kelvin Heights Golf From QT Hill

Three requests to remove and replace a number of trees on recreation reserves in Kelvin Peninsula have been approved by Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Community & Services Committee yesterday.

QLDC’s Parks Manager, Kenneth Bailey said any carbon removal lost by removed trees would be replenished and bettered by planting native and non-spreading exotic trees in the area subject to the requests made by Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group, and Queenstown Golf Club.

“These organisations will be adhering to Council’s new policy that for any tree removed on public land, two must replace it, and as these new trees start to flourish, Kelvin Peninsula will be transformed into a park-like space I’m certain future generations will cherish,” said Mr Bailey.

“The decision also means these community organisations will now be able to progress a range of projects that will benefit the community.”

The tree removal requests made to Council included:

  • A request by Whakatipu Reforestation Trust to remove 100 trees near its Jean Malpas Nursery located in Jardine Park, to expand its educational garden and library of native plants nearby. Over 200 trees will be planted in this location to replace those removed.

  • A request by Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group to remove 20 douglas fir trees from the southern side of the Jean Malpas Nursery, combating seed sources of the invasive pest threatening both the nursery and the Whakatipu Basin’s new Welcome Forest. The removed trees will be predominantly replaced with native species to improve the area’s biodiversity.

  • A request by Queenstown Golf Club to remove approximately 290 aging trees, the majority of which are douglas fir, managing negative impacts on the course’s turf. Their restoration plan includes planting two trees for every one removed, made up of both natives and non-wilding exotic trees.

These requests mark the first applications assessed under new criteria outlined in QLDC’s recently adopted Tree Policy 2022, with Mr Bailey remarking next steps for the community organisations acknowledged Council’s commitment to climate change and biodiversity initiatives in the Queenstown Lakes.

Long term, carbon reduction benefits would increase in the area, and Council intended to work through planting plans with all three organisations to help improve biodiversity in Kelvin Peninsula.

While the majority of trees requested for removal are douglas fir or wilding douglas fir, some species were found to not meet criteria detailed in Council’s Tree Policy, leading to the requests being escalated to QLDC’s Community & Services Committee for a decision.

No trees to be removed in the approved requests are ‘Protected Trees’ under QLDC’s District Plan, listed for potential protection in the Proposed District Plan, or ‘Notable Trees’ in the NZ Tree Register.

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.

FURTHER INFORMATION | Kā pāroko tāpiri:

Tree Replacement Requests Agenda Item: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/oggkwpt2/item-1-tree-replacement-requests.pdf

QLDC Tree Policy 2022: https://www.qldc.govt.nz/media/d4na0c3a/qldc-tree-policy-2022.pdf