Tree Removal Requests - February - March 2023
All three requests to remove and replace a number of trees on recreation reserves in Kelvin Peninsula were approved by Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) Community & Services Committee on Thursday 18 August 2022.
Thank you to those that shared their views. Feedback has now closed for the four tree removal requests.
All feedback for tree removal requests in the Whakatipu Basin will be included in a report that will be considered along with the requests themselves by the QLDC Community and Services Committee on 6 April. Feedback on the Wanaka Golf Club request will be included in a report to be considered by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board on 30 March.
Public feedback for all four requests can be found in the document section.
We have received tree removal requests for four locations across the district including Arrowtown Golf Club, One Mile and Two Mile Creek, Wakatipu Croquet Club in Jardine Park and Wanaka Golf Club.
No one likes seeing a tree removed. Sometimes though, a tree might pose a risk to people or be damaged during extreme weather, be identified as dead following an arborist assessment, and in some cases, some types of trees are classified as weeds and can infest farmland, native ecosystems, and water catchments.
Any requests for tree removals on Council land must be made via an Application for Tree Works. This form provides QLDC with the information required to assess each request.
Applicants must consider alternative solutions, as well as bearing the cost of removal, and establishing replacement tree planting. We want to ensure ongoing succession of safe trees, canopy cover, wildlife habitat, and public amenity.
All tree removal requests are also subject to QLDC’s Tree Policy.
None of these applications include Protected Trees under QLDC's District Plan, trees listed for potential protection in the Proposed District Plan, or Notable Trees from the NZ Tree Register. For more information on mapped Council trees, including audit and imagery information, head to the Parks and Open Spaces tab found here: https://gis-qldc.hub.arcgis.com/
Tree removal requests:
Arrowtown Golf Club:
We have received a request to remove approximately 168 trees from QLDC land leased by Arrowtown Golf Club. This is made up of 126 (75%) larch and 42 douglas fir (25%). The request includes a plan which will involve planting two trees for every one removed. This includes the removal of the large larch avenue along Centennial Avenue entrance to Arrowtown which will then be replanted with another avenue of trees.
This request is in conjunction with Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG). Click here for more information on the WCG.
It also aligns with Arrowtown Wilding Strategy and is another step in the goal of removing wilding seed source. Wilding trees – Arrowtown Village Association
>> Click here for a map detailing the requested removals.
Image: Larch avenue on Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown One Mile and Two Mile Creek:
We have received a request to remove all large wilding trees from reserve land between One Mile to Sunshine Bay (along the Glenorchy-Queenstown Road). Removal of the trees will reduce the wilding seed source. There is a lot of native seed source in this area and removals of the wildings will allow for natural regeneration. This work compliments work previously carried out on Glenorchy-Queenstown Road where WCG has removed wildings and the natives have flourished. QLDC will look to replant natives where suitable. This is consistent with removal of trees policies 4.10 & 4.11.
This is a collaboration between DOC Whakatipu, LINZ and QLDC which supports the National Wilding Strategy National strategy. LINZ and DOC support the operation on their land. We are seeking feedback on QLDC land only.
This removal is requested by Whakatipu Wilding Conifer Control Group (WCG). Click here for more information on the WCG.
>> Click here for a map detailing the requested removals.
Image: One Mile and Two Mile Creek showing only areas requiring QLDC approval for tree removal in orange.Blue area showing example of native regeneration after wilding tree removal.
The WCG work collaboratively to protect our outstanding natural landscapes and unique alpine biodiversity from wilding pine threats, by reducing spread and removing seed sources. More than a quarter of New Zealand is at risk of being smothered by wilding pines, and the WCG is supported by the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme.
Wakatipu Croquet Club:
We have received a request from the Wakatipu Croquet Club to remove eight mature established Eucalyptus fastigata trees growing on QLDC reserve land at Jardine Park, Kelvin Peninsula.
The eight exotic Eucalyptus broadleaf trees form a row adjacent to the South-Western boundary of the Wakatipu Croquet Club green, this boundary divides the club from the adjoining conifer plantation and the Jean Malpas Nursery. There is a row of Thuja plicata (known as Western Red Cedar) trees interplanted with the Eucalyptus.
In 2012, around 14 Eucalyptus in this same row were removed by Council at the Croquet Clubs request, due to their proximity to the lawn where roots were beginning to affect the surface of the green.
Removal of the trees will reduce damage and regular maintenance to the croquet club green as a result of debris dropping onto the green and tree roots growing into the green. The club plans to replant two natives for every tree removed.
The assessment of the eight trees identified no obvious issues regarding their health, Vigour, structural condition or root environment.
There is an opportunity for the Croquet Club to fell the Eucalyptus trees when 100 Wilding conifers are removed from Jardine Park later this year, utilising machinery that will be on site, and taking advantage of efficiencies such as set up and lay down areas.
>> Click here for a map detailing the requested removals.
Image: Wakatipu Croquet Club and trees requested for removal on Jardine Park, Kelvin Peninsular in red area
Wanaka Golf Club:
The Wanaka Golf Club (WGC) proposes to construct two reservoirs for the purpose of water storage for irrigation. The reservoirs will be located on the Back 9 hole of the Wanaka Golf Course to the northeast of the intersection of Ballantyne Road and Golf Course Road. The land is classified recreation reserve and the WGC has a lease with QLDC.
The construction of the two storage reservoirs would enable the WGC to meet their forward irrigation requirements without the need for additional water sources. Click here to go to the Wanaka Golf Club website.
We have received a request to remove 70 trees to assist with the creation of the reservoirs. Many of the trees to be removed are wilding species. The trees for removal include Douglas Fir x 32, Silver Birch x 2, Larch x 17, Pin Oak x 3, Norway Maple x 1, Cedrus Libani x 1, Spanish Fir x 7, Lawson Cypress x 2 .
>> Click here for a map detailing the requested removals.
Image: Wilding Larch trees for removal on Wanaka Golf Course
What happens to my feedback?
All feedback for tree removal requests in the Whakatipu Basin will be included in a report that will be considered along with the requests themselves by the QLDC Community and Services Committee on 6 April. Feedback on the Wanaka Golf Club request will be included in a report to be considered by the Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board on 30 March, who now have the delegation to approve or decline tree removal requests under the QLDC Tree Policy 2022.
Share your thoughts:
Feedback for this consultation closed at 5.00pm on Monday 13 March 2023.
