Community Action Makes Rosebank Trees Closer to Permanent Protection

The Tree Council and local Avondale residents are thankful that Auckland City Council’s city development committee has today agreed to immediately notify the Oak and Pohutukawa at Jomac Place, Rosebank Road, Avondale for scheduling. This gives both trees immediate long term protection pending the outcome of the submission process. “This action would not have happened if the community had not demonstrated its support for these trees,” says Sigrid Shayer, spokesperson for The Tree Council. “The weight of community support and the strength of the arguments have caused the Council to reconsider its previous policy of leaving any plan change for scheduling trees to the new Auckland Council to undertake.”

“We now have to go through the submission process, which we were never allowed during the original consent process. We are confident that the community will once again provide large numbers of supportive submissions. What is shameful is that we have had to go to such lengths when it was obvious that this opportunity to have our say should have happened at the beginning. Due process was also not followed as the Council did not seek an arborist report on either tree nor a specific application to cut them down.”

This follows the huge outcry about the consent given last February to the developer of the 25 acre development site at 317 –321 Rosebank Place, Avondale, now known as Jomac Place, to fell the remaining Pohutukawa and to trim the roots, and create accessways and parking within the root zone of its neighbour, a magnificent Oak, thus shortening the Oak’s life.

Subsequent High Court action by The Tree Council, and grassroots community concern and action initiated by Avondale Community Gardeners, and Avondale resident, Nina Patel, encouraged Avondale Community Board to apply for the trees to be scheduled.

A 1,200 signature petition and supporting letters, was presented to the City Development Committee today, 8th July, by The Tree Council, Avondale Community Gardeners and Nina Patel. This incorporated a deputation that the committee also explore options for creating a public reserve from the Lot on which the trees stand.

“The committee referred our request to consider purchasing the land to the Arts and Recreation Committee, and we will be following that up at the earliest opportunity,” says Sigrid Shayer. “Not only do these landmark trees have huge amenity value, but also huge heritage value in commemorating the market garden history of the Rosebank peninsula.”

ENDS

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