Wanganui’s Proposed
Street Tree Strategy 2015
Discussion Document
1
Background
Our district is well-known for its diverse and beautiful
street trees. Our urban street tree plantings date back
to the 1880s and we continue to maintain and plant
street trees today. They include a number of protected
trees, commemorative trees and clusters or avenues of
particular tree species that give special character to the
area in which they are planted.
Wanganui District Council is responsible for managing
street trees on behalf of the community. To help us do
that, we have developed a draft Street Tree Strategy to set
the direction for the short and long-term management
of public street trees. The Street Tree Strategy, which has
been developed with the assistance of the Tree Advisory
Group, recognises that street trees are a significant
and valuable asset that adds hugely to our district’s
fabric from an appearances perspective, urban design
perspective and environmental water and carbon cycles.
We welcome the community’s feedback on the draft
strategy.
2
Why we need a street tree
strategy
Key aspects of the strategy include –
Management of street trees isn’t without its difficulties
and the strategy is a guidance document to assist
planning and decision making for the planting,
maintenance, protection and removal of street trees. The
strategy recognises these as challenges to be overcome.
Primarily the challenges are brought about through
the many older street trees being in poor condition
and the competing interests from their neighbouring
environments which impact on their ability to survive,
grow and even remain.
• Strategies to integrate street trees into future
The Council faces three principal challenges in regard to
our district’s street trees:
• Strategies to widen community engagement on key
• Valuing our street trees as a significant resource, often
with heritage significance, that contributes to our
landscape and people’s quality of life.
development of our urban design and district
streetscape.
• Strategies to identify, preserve and enhance the
distinctive characteristics of our suburbs through
street tree planting.
• Strategies to continue to acknowledge the value of our
heritage streets and historic plantings and preserve
where possible.
street tree issues and decisions.
• How to manage the current street trees, many of
• Strategies to manage street trees to the best industry
which are in poor condition
standard to ensure the health of the trees and the
health and safety concerns of the neighbouring
environment.
• How to ensure street trees remain part of future
developments
• How to respond to public expectations of our
• Development of an Urban Streetscape Plan. The
Key aspects of the Street Tree
Strategy
• The strategy also identifies a number of pieces of work
management of street trees.
Urban Streetscape Plan is intended to guide the
design and development of urban streets, including
trees, to promote positive design outcomes of safety,
accessibility and liveability.
(called ‘actions’ in the document) required of Council
and key stakeholders over the next few years to ensure
the strategy’s vision and goals are realised.
The strategy document identifies a number of challenges
and issues to be addressed and then lists the principles,
goals and strategies aimed to reach the stated vision:
Wanganui is renowned nationally for its treescape which
enhances our vibrant, cultural living environment.
3
Principle 3
Key discussion points
We invite your feedback
The Council strives to maintain the integrity of
Wanganui’s treescape for future generations while
allowing flexibility for necessary tree removal and
replacement.
The strategy lists three key principles that underpin it
(Page 12):
Discussion
Principle 1
In some locations, and due to their distinctive species
type and history, our street trees create distinctive
‘avenues’ and ‘character areas’ of trees. For example,
London Plane trees in the central business district are a
special feature of our district. They create an ‘avenue feel’
and link to early European settlement.
We want to retain this historical and unique aspect as
an integral part of our streetscape. However, we also
recognise that individual trees have a finite lifecycle
and sometimes a tree or a group of trees will need to be
removed or replaced but not at the expense of the area’s
overall treescape.
The Council wishes to emphasise the value of its street
trees, and the importance placed on the role of the
Council as the guardian of this tree stock.
Discussion
When considering developments or managing existing
street trees we understand that we need to advocate
the value of street trees to our community’s essential
fabric. This will ensure the significance and value of our
street trees is not eroded over time through our decision
making and agreed levels of service.
Question 1
Question 3
Do you agree with this statement and that it’s Council’s
role?
Do you agree with this general philosophy and
that distinctive treescapes or character areas are
worth preserving and developing?
Principle 2
In its decision making Council places a high value on
the benefits of trees to the community as a whole rather
than costs/benefits to private individuals.
Discussion:
Our decision to plant, replace or remove a street tree
inevitably involves considering various competing needs
and expectations. This includes the expectations from
the public, developers, neighbours, utility operators;
then there’s health and safety concerns, budgets and
whole streetscape issues to consider. These are a mix
of public and private benefits or ‘good’ as we call it. The
intention of this principle is that when we make decisions
around street trees we will place a higher value on the
public good aspect of the decision than any private good
identified.
Question 2
Do you agree with public good having greater sway
than any private good when we make decisions on
street tree management?
4
Key Goals
Question 7
Do you agree that matters such as arboriculture
standards, health and safety, competing infrastructural
needs and costs should all be considered when
managing street trees and making associated
decisions? Do you think any of these matters should
have more weighting than others?
The strategy also has four key goals to guide Council’s
management of street trees (page 12 and 13):
Goal 1
To identify, preserve and enhance the distinctive
characteristics of Wanganui’s treescape.
Goal 3
Question 4
To integrate trees into the future development of our
urban landscape.
Are you aware of our district’s distinctive character
areas including distinctive street tree plantings?
Question 8
Question 5
Do you think street trees should be considered and
provided for in all new developments in our district?
Are you happy with how Council currently assesses
requests to prune or remove trees? Do you think
developing criteria around how such requests will be
handled will assist in providing better, more consistent
decisions?
Goal 4
To appropriately consult and engage with the
community on tree issues.
Goal 2
Question 9
To regularly inspect and manage public trees to the best
industry standards.
Do you think Council currently consults adequately
with the community about street trees?
Question 6
Question 10
Do you agree with the current level of care and
management of our street trees? If not, would you
be happy to pay more or less in rates for a different
standard of care and management?
Do you agree that Council needs to develop guidelines
on how it intends to notify and consult the community
over removal or replacement of street trees?
5
Frequently Asked Questions –
Street Tree Strategy 2015
What trees are covered under the 2015 Strategy?
a. Street trees i.e. trees within the public streetscape and
road reserves. Does not specifically cover public (Council
managed) trees in parks and reserves or any trees on
private property. Trees in parks and reserves are managed
through Council’s Parks/Reserves Management Plans and
associated maintenance contracts.
b. Does not cover public shrubs, flower beds, plants and
bushes and the like. These plantings will be covered
under the proposed Streetscape Plan.
Who and what is the Street Tree Strategy for?
The Street Tree Strategy is to provide guidance to enable a
consistent and transparent approach to tree management
for Council staff, Councillors and residents.
Who do the street trees belong to?
Other aspects of the proposed
Street Tree Strategy
The street trees belong to the Wanganui District Council,
and the Council looks after them on behalf of the
community. Council is not responsible for trees on private
property.
This strategy has a number of objectives requiring
actions to be implemented by Council over the next few
years. Completing the identified actions will enhance
the strategy by providing clearer information and
establishing operating and decision making procedures
(Table 1; page 16).
Does the Council encourage the planting and retention
of street trees in the city?
Question 11
Yes. The 2015 Street Tree Strategy emphasises the value
of street trees to our living environment. The identified
goals and strategies are aimed at making our district
nationally renowned for its treescape.
Do you have any other actions not listed in the strategy
that you think Council should consider?
How does the strategy consider the retention of
over-mature street trees?
Retaining our mature street trees is important, however,
this needs to be balanced against the health of the tree,
the safety of the community and Council’s ability to
deliver surrounding services to acceptable and agreed
levels of community service.
This Street Tree Strategy is an overarching document
that creates a framework for decision making and
resource allocation. It is focused on street trees as
opposed to all public trees or shrubs and gardens. It
is currently supported by reserve management plans,
maintenance contracts, industry standards and best
practice. The wider streetscape issues around how trees,
buildings, people and infrastructure co-exist in the whole
street corridor will be considered within the planned
Streetscape Strategy.
What consultation are utility companies required to do
with Parks Officers when working near street tree roots?
Utility operators are required to consult with Parks
Officers prior to work commencing in order to establish
a methodology aimed at protecting the tree as an asset.
It is the intent of the strategy that this consultation
happens at an early stage of a work programme.
Question 12
Do you think the scope of this strategy is correct?
If not, why not?
6
How does the Strategy deal with the conflict between
infrastructure requirements and preserving street tree
assets?
Will I be informed if Council is thinking about cutting
down a street tree in my street or near my business?
We are looking at ways we can proactively engage with
potentially affected people when trees have to be cut
down or replaced. The level of consultation will always
depend on the severity of the operation and how many
people will be affected. The strategy has an action to
develop guidelines that clearly outline when and to what
degree residents and interested parties will be informed
about street tree works.
If planned infrastructure work requires tree disturbance
or tree removal, then Council Officers are required to be
engaged early in the planning stages and work through
the options available that consider the best options
and where possible, preserve tree assets. Where tree
removals are proposed, the tiered consultation process
for tree removals shall be followed. It is essential that
consultation starts early to ensure that all options can be
considered and appropriate consultation can take place.
A Council street tree is blocking my view. Can it be
pruned or cut down?
How would the Council ensure the performance
standard of arboricultural contractors?
Our general policy is that street trees will not be pruned
or removed for the protection of views. Pruning of trees
invariably leads to further problems later, as the resultant
re-growth of branches is significantly weaker and prone
to breaking in high winds so the trees require repeated
reduction work.
We place much importance on the performance of
arboricultural contractors and diligently monitor their
work performance in accordance with the service
contracts. The 2015 Street Tree Strategy clearly states all
work on trees must comply with arboriculture standards
as well as meeting our health and safety obligations.
Leaves are blowing onto my property from trees on the
adjacent reserve or road reserve. Will the Council clear
the leaves?
Can we choose what type of street trees are planted in
our street?
No, we will not pick up street tree leaves that have blown
on to private properties.
No. We will continue to identify and develop character
areas for street tree themes that reflect the character
and history of the area, existing plantings and species
growing conditions.
So where can I find out about the rules around trees on
private property?
Unless it’s a protected tree (protected by Council and
listed in the District Plan), trees on private property are
governed under New Zealand property and civil law.
Council has a pamphlet on the matter or people can find
out through their community law facility or searching
under Consumer Online.
My street has no trees in the road reserve. Will Council
plant any trees?
Our general policy is to plant appropriate trees in
road reserves, providing that there are no overriding
infrastructural reasons not to put trees in a particular
location.
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Make a
submission
Please include the following in your submission:
• the title of the consultation document in the subject
line of your email
• your name and title (if applicable)
• your organisation’s name (if applicable)
• your address
• a contact telephone number
• whether or not you wish to be heard at a Council
The Wanganui District Council invites comment on the
proposed Street Tree Strategy 2015. The proposed strategy
is supported by this discussion document.
Wanganui District Council has developed this Tree
Strategy with the assistance of the Tree Advisory Group.
The strategy recognises that street trees are a significant
and valuable asset that adds hugely to our districts
fabric from an appearance perspective, urban design
perspective and environmental water and carbon cycles.
meeting.
The Statement of Proposal and proposed strategy are
available on the Wanganui District Council website
www.wanganui.govt.nz/haveyoursay
Submission guidelines
Documents are also available from the Wanganui District
Council Customer Service counter at the Municipal
Building at 101 Guyton Street, the Davis Central City
Library and Gonville Café Library.
We welcome your feedback on the draft strategy. The
following points may assist you in preparing your
comments:
• wherever possible, comments should be specific to a
For any queries please contact Carolyn McIntyre,
Policy Advisor on (06) 349 0001.
particular clause in the strategy or a question asked in
this discussion document (refer to section numbers or
page numbers as applicable);
• where possible, reasons, data and supporting
People who wish to be heard by Council will be given the
opportunity to do so. The time and venue for the hearing
of submissions is yet to be confirmed.
• the use of examples to illustrate particular points is
The period for making written submissions will
open 8.00am Monday, 27 October 2015, and close
5.00pm on Monday, 14 December 2015.
published references to support comments are
requested;
encouraged.
We encourage you to send your comments electronically
if possible:
Official Information Act 1982
• Via email to [email protected]
• Via the online form on our website at
Please note that your submission is public information
and it is Wanganui District Council’s policy to publish
submissions and the review of submissions on its website
and to include them within public meeting agendas.
Submissions may also be the subject of requests for
information under the Official Information Act 1982
(OIA).
www.wanganui.govt.nz/haveyoursay
If you are unable to provide an electronic submission,
you can post your submission to Carolyn McIntyre, Policy
Advisor, Wanganui District Council, Freepost DX Box
PA87019, Wanganui.
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Submission form
Proposed Street Tree Strategy 2015
Submissions close 5pm on 14 December 2015
Privacy statement:
You can complete this submission online at
www.wanganui.govt.nz/haveyoursay
Please be aware when providing personal information
that this submission form is part of the public
consultation process. As such, this document
(including contact details) will be copied and made
publicly available. Personal information will be used
for the administration of this consultation process
and decision-making. All information will be held by
the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street,
and submitters have the right to access and correct
personal information.
Alternatively, please return this form,
or send your written submission to:
Proposed Street Tree Strategy 2015–2020
Wanganui District Council
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui 4500
Email: [email protected]
Your Details
(please print your details clearly)
Name
E-mail
Postal Address
Post code:
Best daytime contact number
Organisation:if you are completing this submission form on behalf of an organisation please name the organisation
and your role:
Oral submissions
If you wish to speak to Council in support of your written submission please tick the box below.
Yes I would like to speak in support of my submission (please ensure you have completed the details
above, including contact phone number)
Note: Dates to hear submissions have not been confirmed. If you have indicated that you wish to speak on your
submission we will contact you to arrange a time.
If you would be interested in being involved in further consultation opportunities with Council please tick the box
below and ensure your contact details have been completed.
Yes I would like to be involved in future consultation and am happy for you to retain my contact details.
9
1
It is the Council’s role to act as a guardian and to advocate
the value of street trees
2
Council should place higher value on the public good
over any private good when making decisions on the
management of street trees
3
Distinctive treescapes or character areas are worth
preserving and developing
Strongly
disagree
Disagree
Neither
agree nor
disagree
Strongly
agree
Key Principles
Agree
Please indicate your level of agreement for the proposed key principles as outlined in the discussion document.
1
Developing criteria on requests to prune or remove trees
will provide better and consistent decisions
2
I would be happy to pay more in rates for an increase in the
standard of care and management of street trees
3
Matters such as arboriculture standards, health and
safety, competing infrastructural needs and costs should
all be considered when managing street trees and making
associated decisions
4
Street trees should be considered and provided for in all
new developments in the district
5
Council consults and engages with the community the
right amount about street tree issues
6
Council needs to develop guidelines on how it intends to
notify and consult over the removal or replacements of
street trees
10
Strongly
disagree
Disagree
Neither
agree nor
disagree
Strongly
agree
Key Goals
Agree
Please indicate your level of agreement for the statements concerning the proposed key goals outlined in the discussion
document.
Do you have any further comments to make?
Optional:
Have you submitted to
Council before?
Gender
Age
Ethnicity
Yes
No
Female
Male
Under 18 Years
18 – 29 years
30 – 39 years
40 – 49 years
50 – 59 years
over 60 years
NZ European
Māori
Asian
Pacific Peoples
Middle Eastern/Latin American/African
Other
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