Council tree chopping investigated

The Queenstown Lakes District Council is investigating the felling of two trees, one of which was chopped down today at Kelvin Heights, QLDC parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

“Unfortunately we received a call today that a mature tree had been felled in Willow Place,” Mr Bailey said.
In the course of clearing power lines, Delta had received a suggestion from a resident to remove a weeping willow.

“Unbeknown to Delta the Council had previously received two applications to remove the tree and the Council has turned them down, mainly because the tree was in good health and because you would expect to find willows in Willow Place,” Mr Bailey said.

He estimated the willow was around 50-years-old.

Although Delta immediately offered to replant another tree, Mr Bailey said the matter needed to be referred to Council’s regulatory organisation, Lakes Environmental.

“This is the second tree we have passed on for investigation, the other being a tree cut down in Devon Place in Arrowtown,” Mr Bailey said.

Both cases could be subject to a prosecution.

“The Council takes an extremely dim view of damage or destruction of trees on Council reserve. These are trees belonging to the community, for the community on community land,’ Mr Bailey said.

A great deal of time and money was invested in caring for trees due to the immense amenity value the brought to the district.

“In an environment such as ours, trees are essential, that’s why we have a tree policy and that’s why you cannot simply cut down a tree without first asking what the rules are,” Mr Bailey said.