Urban tree protections face the axe in new resource management system - EDS

The Environmental Defence Society has slammed the government’s approach to protecting urban trees under the proposed Natural Environment Bill and Planning Bill, which will replace the Resource Management Act.

“Thousands of trees are currently protected in council plans across the country, with around 6,000 in Auckland alone,” said EDS Reform Director Dr Greg Severinsen.

“There are lots of reasons for that. Large, mature trees – both indigenous like coastal pōhutukawa and exotic like oaks – contribute to our cities’ historic heritage, ecology, amenity and ecosystem services like shading and cooling. They are crucial ecological infrastructure.

Dr Severinsen says as part of the government’s quest to elevate development and property rights above the common good, the Bills will completely gut the ability of councils to protect urban trees