Urban Forest Plan

Update 17 February 2010

On 15 December Council approved the altered version of the Draft Urban Forest Plan.  The plan went “live on 1 January 2010.

Implementation of the Urban Forest Plan has commenced and officers in the Parks and Gardens Division of Council are working out the detail involved with developing Street Tree Master Plans.  Council has agreed that the Central Ward will be the first recipient of a Street Tree Master Plan.  Prior to launching the planning process in the Central Ward officers will be trialling parts of the planning method in 3 or 4 streets, starting with Karamu Street in Eastbourne. 

Two big changes

Working under the Urban Forest Plan involves turning past tree management around.  Council will be considering solutions for whole streets based on a range of considerations, including the desire for quality street trees, the need to work cooperatively with infrastructure/utility providers and a view to generate long term benefits for the City.  Previously Council officers and the contractor took an approach that was orientated towards the arboricultural management of individual trees.

Over the next few years Council’s new approach will become noticeable.  The Urban Forest Plan emphasises the importance of retaining and managing trees which are, or are likely to become, quality specimens.  Decisions about whether to retain and maintain trees which are unlikely to achieve quality will be simplified.

Final Urban Forest Plan available in September

Officers are editing the document and intend to release the final version in September 2010.  There are few changes to the content of the Draft Plan and the principles and objectives will not change.

Funding

Officers are seeking funding for additional staff resource (possibly an in-house arborist) through Council’s Long Term Council Community Plan Process.  This will ensure the Urban Forest Plan is expertly implemented at a reasonable pace.