Plan Change 2 - Protected trees

Trees are a significant part of our towns; they soften the landscape, contribute to a sense of heritage and are an important habitat for a range of different species. We believe trees make-up a huge part of our communities and want to ensure we’re protecting the best trees in the best locations.

Key Changes:

• Changes the method to assess protected trees from the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (RNZIH) method to the Standard Tree Evaluation method (STEM);
• Sets a threshold of 110 STEM points for a tree to be included on the Protected Tree list;
• Sets a threshold of more than 138 STEM points for when an application to remove a Protected Tree requires public notification;
• Changes the consent status for an application to remove a protected tree to discretionary;
• Broadens the assessment criteria for assessing an application to remove a protected tree, to ensure that both the positive and negative aspects of the protected tree are considered in any such consent process;
• Ensure protected trees are taken into account when undertaking development and subdivision;
• Require appropriate street trees to be planted along any new roads that are to be vested in Council;
• Enable private landowners to undertake minor pruning and maintenance of protected trees;
• Clarifies the rules around permitted activity works to a protected tree; and
• Updates the schedule for protected trees in Appendix N4 of the Waipa District Plan.

Related changes not part of Plan Change 2:

During the Plan Change 2 (PC2) process, a review of Council’s Tree Policy was initiated. It is important to align the Tree Policy with the outcomes of PC2. The policy review is now complete and was adopted by Council on 4 August 2020.

• Click here to see the updated Tree Policy.
• Click here to read more about Protected Trees
• Click here to read more about the Protected Tree Fund

Status:

Operative Documentation