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Court grants protection to nominated trees

Wednesday 21 December 2011, 1:14AM

By Auckland Council

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AUCKLAND

The Environment Court has granted temporary legal protection to more than 1800 trees proposed for scheduling under district plan changes, pending the outcome of hearings by independent commissioners next year.

The temporary protection takes effect from 1 January coinciding with new parliamentary rules, which remove blanket protection for unscheduled trees.

Auckland Council is writing to owners of notable trees proposed for scheduling to advise them of the court decision.

Submissions on proposed changes to six district plans of former councils close on 17 February, 2012.

Addressing concerns that it had taken more than two years after the announcement of parliamentary changes to reach this point, the judge said the court was well aware of the pressures involved in the transition of the eight former councils in to one Auckland Council during this period.

Details of nominated trees can be found on http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.Nzwww.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.

Property owners should phone 09 301 0101 to check the legal status of their trees before felling or pruning to avoid possible council action to enforce protection rules.