More than a decade of thought and local consultation has taken place over how best to achieve the restoration of a native forest on the sloping bushland at the eastern end of Western Springs Lakeside Te Waiōrea Park.
Clearly the pine trees that dominated the site were approaching the end of their natural life and it was desirable to plan and take action for the future nature and health of the forest. At a special 3 November Waitemat-a Local Board meeting we decided to go ahead with implementing the carefully developed and designed resource consent to remove the ageing stand of pines that had been granted Council by the Environment Court. Most of us believe on balance that this was the best way of enabling the development of a healthy regenerating native forest there in the long-term.
This removal has now been completed with less short-term damage to other vegetation than anticipated – considerably less than 35% - to the regenerating bush from felling and removing the pines. The new native trees to be planted and the vigorous currently regenerating trees should sequester carbon better than the ageing pines and thereby contribute more to combatting climate change long-term.
Some believe that our native birds need these pine trees to shelter and nest in, but Aotearoa has had tens of millions of years of these birds being well suited to the native trees that are succeeding the pines. Of the 700 or so pine trees originally in the forest, less than 200 remained and a substantial number were already dead or dying. The Board was faced with the choice of either removing trees only when they clearly reached that state and could potentially fall on people, with each series of tree removals needing a clearance track and causing significant damage to other trees or, alternatively, carrying out all that removal at once using methods that were safe and cause less continuing damage to other vegetation.
As the pine trees were cut down, many were found to have rotten cores to their trunks without having any visible outward signs that they were diseased. It could have been dangerous to users to open up the forest to the public while some of the pine trees were in such a state. We look forward to when, in a few weeks, it will be safe to open up the whole forest again for walking, running and public enjoyment. A native tree planting day has been set for Sunday 18 July from 9.30am with volunteer participation by those community members encouraged to take part. Find out more about the tree planting day at our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/waitemata
On 11 June there was a dawn blessing for the completion of the Karangahape Road enhancement project, and on 26 June there will be a big celebration on Karangahape Road with a wide variety of events. It has been a long and disruptive time in coming but Karangahape Road looks and feels magnificent now. There are many intriguing art works, more trees and two rainbow pedestrian crossings included. It will be great for businesses, residents, and visitors. Go there and enjoy the food, shopping, events, and the overall vibe.
On 2 July the Prime Minister will open the exciting new Te W-ananga Plaza on the seaward side of Quay Street and the revamped downtown area, with a renewed Quay Street itself flanked by mature pohutukawas, the new ferry berths, the new square Te Komititanga with the reopened former Post Office now the Britomart Central Rail Link Station.
The Waitemat-a Local Board remains actively concerned about continuing issues related to homelessness and what are sometimes related anti-social and criminal behaviour in emergency accommodation and on the streets in the town centres in the Waitemat-a Board area. We have written again to the Government seeking the identification and appointment of a public agency to take the lead and ensure effective co-ordination and lasting solutions in this regard. (RICHARD NORTHEY)
I can be contacted at 021 534 546 or at richard.northey@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
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