Hauraki District Plan September 2014 Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees (Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions) 6.4-1 6.4 RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT TREES 6.4.1 BACKGROUND (1) Individual trees and groups of trees, in addition to identified areas of indigenous vegetation, can be of significance to the community, particularly in urban areas. Their significance can arise from their historical and cultural associations, botanical value or amenity (visual) value - size, location & appearance. Often these trees will be exotic rather than indigenous. (2) Land in public ownership often includes well established trees and groups of trees that provide a pleasant setting for buildings and give the towns a pleasant appearance/character. Trees on private property add to the overall appearance/character of the urban environment. (3) In a similar way to the protection/recognition afforded to significant stands of indigenous vegetation in the rural area, Council proposes to provide protection/recognition to significant urban and rural trees. (4) A survey of the urban areas has been carried out to identify the significant trees located on public land (ie that owned by the Crown, Council and other public bodies). (5) This is seen as a starting point for the schedule of significant trees which is expected to grow over time as individuals seek to provide a similar level of protection/recognition for trees on their own private property. Trees on private land will only be added to the schedule at the request of the land owner. A number already appear on the schedule through this mechanism. 6.4.2 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES (1) The retention of trees is desirable because of the contribution they make to the amenities of urban areas in particular, their historical associations and their botanical values. Subdivision and urban intensification lead to increased pressure for the removal of urban trees. Urban amenity values can only be retained if the trees are protected from removal. 6.4.3 OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES (1) OBJECTIVE 1 To maintain and improve the significant trees resource for the purpose of preserving their intrinsic, historical, cultural and amenity values for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. (a) Policies Objective 1 will be achieved by the implementation of the following policies: (i) Protect significant trees from the adverse effects of development. (ii) Encourage developments that retain significant trees.
Transcript
Hauraki District Plan
September 2014
Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees
(Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions)
6.4-1
6.4 RECOGNITION AND PROTECTION OF SIGNIFICANT TREES
6.4.1 BACKGROUND
(1) Individual trees and groups of trees, in addition to identified areas of indigenous vegetation,
can be of significance to the community, particularly in urban areas. Their significance can
arise from their historical and cultural associations, botanical value or amenity (visual) value -
size, location & appearance. Often these trees will be exotic rather than indigenous.
(2) Land in public ownership often includes well established trees and groups of trees that
provide a pleasant setting for buildings and give the towns a pleasant appearance/character.
Trees on private property add to the overall appearance/character of the urban environment.
(3) In a similar way to the protection/recognition afforded to significant stands of indigenous
vegetation in the rural area, Council proposes to provide protection/recognition to significant
urban and rural trees.
(4) A survey of the urban areas has been carried out to identify the significant trees located on
public land (ie that owned by the Crown, Council and other public bodies).
(5) This is seen as a starting point for the schedule of significant trees which is expected to grow
over time as individuals seek to provide a similar level of protection/recognition for trees on
their own private property. Trees on private land will only be added to the schedule at the
request of the land owner. A number already appear on the schedule through this
mechanism.
6.4.2 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES
(1) The retention of trees is desirable because of the contribution they make to the amenities of
urban areas in particular, their historical associations and their botanical values. Subdivision
and urban intensification lead to increased pressure for the removal of urban trees. Urban
amenity values can only be retained if the trees are protected from removal.
6.4.3 OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
(1) OBJECTIVE 1
To maintain and improve the significant trees resource for the purpose of preserving their
intrinsic, historical, cultural and amenity values for the benefit and enjoyment of future
generations.
(a) Policies
Objective 1 will be achieved by the implementation of the following policies:
(i) Protect significant trees from the adverse effects of development.
(ii) Encourage developments that retain significant trees.
Hauraki District Plan
September 2014
Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees
(Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions)
6.4-2
(iii) Promote greater public awareness of and support for the protection of significant
trees.
(iv) Giving public recognition to those people who have volunteered their trees for
protection.
(v) Require all additions to or removals from the schedule to be through the District
Plan Change procedure to ensure that the rights of private property owners can
be considered in relation to the overall desires of the community.
(b) Reasons
(i) To ensure adequate protection is afforded to those urban and rural trees
identified as having significance, a combination of regulatory measures through
the District Plan and voluntary techniques is considered by Council to offer the
best solution. Statutory provisions alone cannot ensure the protection of trees.
The co-operation of affected landowners and the general public is essential to
achieving the preservation of individual trees and groups of trees.
(ii) The District Plan is a suitable public document to help raise public awareness of
the existence of significant trees.
(iii) Ensuring information is readily available on identified trees helps increase
landowner and general public understanding and support for the preservation
measures proposed.
6.4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
(1) Urban and rural amenity values protected through the retention of significant urban and rural
trees.
(2) Increased public awareness of the value of significant trees and the responsibility of
landowners in their protection.
6.4.5 ACTIVITIES
Any resource consent applications required under Rule 6.4.5 shall be exempt from Resource
Consent Application processing fees.
6.4.5.1 PERMITTED ACTIVITIES
(1) The following are Permitted Activities:
(a) Trimming or pruning of any tree listed in the Schedule of Significant Trees necessary
because of disease or age and which will not result in the death, destruction or
irreparable damage to the tree.
(b) Minor pruning or shaping necessary to maintain or enhance the value of the tree listed
in the Schedule of Significant Trees.
Hauraki District Plan
September 2014
Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees
(Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions)
6.4-3
(c) Removal of any tree listed in the Schedule of Significant Trees if the Council has
confirmed the tree is dead.
(d) Construction or alteration of a structure, excavation, filling or formation of new
impermeable surfaces near any tree listed in the Schedule of Significant Trees if:
(i) it does not occur within the area covered by the drip-line of the tree(s)
(irrespective of any legal boundary, fence or structure).
(e) Removal or destruction (partial or total) of any tree listed in the Schedule of Significant
Trees for emergency purposes to:
(i) safeguard human life or habitable buildings from immediate danger (as
confirmed by a qualified arborist); or
(ii) to maintain or restore network utlities including transport (as confirmed by the
relevant utility provider or other suitably qualified engineer).
6.4.5.2 CONTROLLED ACTIVITIES
(1) There are no Controlled Activities.
6.4.5.3 RESTRICTED DISCRETIONARY ACTIVITIES
(1) There are no Restricted Discretionary Activities.
6.4.5.4 DISCRETIONARY ACTIVITIES
(1) The following are Discretionary Activities and shall be assessed in relation to the criteria
specified in Rule 6.4.5.7 below:
(a) Any activity not provided for as a Permitted Activity.
6.4.5.5 NON COMPLYING ACTIVITIES
(1) There are no Non Complying activities.
6.4.5.6 PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
(1) There are no Prohibited Activities.
6.4.5.7 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR DISCRETIONARY ACTIVITIES
(1) The following criteria will be used to assess any application for a Discretionary Activity:
(a) The reasons for inclusion of the tree in the Schedule of Significant Trees;
(b) The degree of modification or damage that will be caused to the tree and its effect on
the value of the tree;
Hauraki District Plan
September 2014
Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees
(Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions)
6.4-4
(c) The extent to which the work will:
(i) enhance or reduce the overall value of the tree in relation to the significance
factor for which it was listed; and/or
(ii) enhance or reduce the value of other protected trees in the group or vicinity.
(d) The extent to which the tree constitutes or is likely to become a hazard.
(e) The extent to which the tree has grown to the point of causing nuisance, including any
significant loss of sunlight or leaf drop, to nearby residents, and whether minor
trimming or pruning will not or has not ameliorated the problem.
(f) Whether the tree is causing or is likely to cause structural damage to infrastructure
including roads, structures or buildings.
(g) Whether there are any alternatives to the development proposed that would avoid the
need for the work to be done on the tree or the tree’s removal.
(h) The financial consequences to the owner and/or occupier of the site of not authorising
the work to be carried out and the nature of any associated relief that may be available.
Hauraki District Plan
September 2014
Section 6.4: Recognition and Protection of Significant Trees
(Words in italics in rules and assessment criteria are defined in Section 4.0 Definitions)
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6.4.6 SCHEDULE OF SIGNIFICANT TREES
Tree ID
Number
Map
No. Description Location Botanical Name
Significance
Factor
TR001 B One Oak tree 9 Matai Street, Turua Quercus robur Historical/Cultural, Visual Amenity
TR002 C One Oak tree 8 Orchard West Road, Ngatea - Hauraki Plains College
Quercus robur Historical/Cultural
TR003 C One Tulip tree 52 Orchard West Road, Ngatea - Ngatea Primary School
