Auckland Transport Board needs to hear alternatives to destruction of historic trees

Auckland Transports board is unlikely to hear of the widespread concern from iwi, urban design experts, the Tree Council, cyclists, and the wider community about Auckland Transports plans to destroy a stand of mature pohutukawa trees on Great North Road as part of the St Lukes junction project.

The trees were planted around Arbor Day in 1934 as part of a Depression-era project to enhance greenspace and create Chamberlain Park. They stand opposite the gates of MOTAT, and over recent months have attracted a storm of protest and a number of signs and colourful yarnbombing.

Representatives of the various interest groups had asked for the opportunity to briefly address Auckland Transport Board at the open session of the Boards meeting on Friday 20 February, says Christine Rose, a spokesperson for the Pohutukawa Savers. This is the only opportunity the board will have to hear of the range of community concerns about Auckland Transports plan. Auckland Transport have advised, however, that only one community representative will be allowed to address the Board.

Jolisa Gracewood, a spokesperson for the Pohutukawa Savers, who has written about the issue for the blog Public Address, said this is the latest in a series of events that have seen the community effectively shut out of debate on the controversial decision to remove the trees.

All but two of the 64 written submissions to a Council-appointed Hearings Panel on this issue were opposed to the loss of the trees. Fully 54 of these submissions, including a petition with 1475 signatures and individual comments, were ruled out of order on a technicality; a wrong number was supplied and a mistake perpetuated by Council in its correspondence with the public up until the late afternoon of the day before the hearing.

AUT Maori Development lecturer, Ella Henry, questions Auckland Transports claim that "no concern was raised by mana whenua in regard to the removal of the trees. She is concerned that there has not been appropriate and meaningful consultation with Mana Whenua groups, and also Mata Waka/Taura Here those Maori who are not tangata whenua, but are, like herself, part of the Auckland community, and who are passionate about ensuring that indigenous flora and fauna in the region are protected and enhanced.

Ngati Whatua Orakei Deputy Chairman Ngarimu Blair said they have not been engaged on the proposed tree removal and is concerned with their removal. "That area is already hostile to families who visit MOTAT, Pasifika and Western Springs. It is hoped the design can be re-thought to retain these trees and any other measures that can bring back a sense of calm and safety for those not in cars," Blair said.

Transportblog editor Patrick Reynolds points to several flaws in Auckland Transports preferred design: The proposed plan meets only narrow transport objectives, offers inadequate provision for walking, cycling, and public transport, and fails on social and environmental grounds. It would be a travesty to destroy the trees for a sub-optimal design, when credible alternatives exist.

Says Christine Rose, A community liaison meeting in January was remarkable for the unwillingness of Auckland Transport representatives to even discuss alternatives that would meet their objectives and preserve the treescape.

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Destruction of historic trees challenged

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Frigid temperatures linger across the east. Many were dealing with strong winds late into Saturday night.

Those winds caused a large tree to fall, damaging a home in Greenville.

"Now that it's broken off you can see the inside was rotten off," said Billy Godley

Billy Godley, owner of Billy's Tree Service, said the rotten spruce pine crashed into this home on West Wright Road causing major damage inside and outside.

"Wind, constant wind continuously beaten down on the tree even if it's not a hard wind. It would take care of the trees in rotten places, said Godley.

Last night a couple came home to celebrate after their Valentine's Day engagement.

"I had rose petals going down the hallway, laid into the bedroom.. Had champagne in the bubble bath, had the water going, the bubbles going, and then uh then we stopped in the bedroom to talk for a few minutes and the tree fell on and that was it," explained the couple.

The couple said they heard a loud noise and thought it was a tornado.

"Commotion and then the wind was blowing doors were shutting. It was crazy. I thought it was a tornado out there," they explained.

Family and friends helped the newly engaged couple pack their belongings and move. The family of three rents the home and was happy that they have renters insurance. A tree removal service came in Sunday and used multiple machines to lift the pine tree off of the home.

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High winds down tree into home in Greenville

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