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Save Notable Trees In Christchurch

  • The Decision Is Out -- & We've Done Good!

      13 November 2016
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    We have updated you several times over the past year, a period during which we have "gone to the mattresses" for Christchurch's Heritage and Notable trees across a wide range of fronts: expert conferencing; facilitated mediation; not one but two full hearings in a highly formal, Court-style environment that required both expert evidence and legal submissions to be effective; while at the same time fund raising to stay in this fight.

    Arguably, this highly costly, formal, and adversarial process should never have been visited on a city that is still contending with the psychological and emotional consequences, as well as the physical after-effects of the 2010-2011 earthquakes.

    Given that it was,however, those of us who became aware of what was going on felt we had no choice but to go into bat for the city's Heritage and Notable trees, in the hopes that something of such value that had survived the earthquakes might also have some chance of surviving the recovery.

    Needless to say it has been an extremely tough year for all those involved. But just over one month ago, on October 7, 2016 the Independent Hearing Panel (IHP) publicly notified its Tree decision -- a decision that overall, has delivered a positive outcome. The appeal period closed on 8 November, which is why we have waited until now to let you know, since if there had been an appeal the process would not have been over.

    The key elements of the IHP's decision are as follows:

    1) Our Mediated Agreement with the Christchurch City Council has been upheld, with 80% of the original 1623 trees on private land remaining on the Christchurch Plan schedule;

    2) The Panel has also directed that the 724 listed trees on public land be returned to the Plan; and

    3) The new Plan still contains a suite of provisions (objective, policies and rules) that continue to provide recognition and some protection for scheduled trees.

    Overall, although we have lost some very good trees and still retain misgivings for the future (particularly given the culture within Council that proposed so drastic a reduction (ca. 84%) of the Heritage and Notable tree schedule in the first place) we believe this is a very good result for the Christchurch community and the landscape character of our city.

    As always in such circumstances it has not been without cost, in terms of both time and money. To date the joined submitters have incurred actual costs of $80,865 -- a huge sum for a small group of private individuals, professional associations, and not-for-profit community groups.

    We still have a residual debt of $9700 for which money must still be raised. For this reason, the Give A Little still remains open at: https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/saveheritagetrees

    As we have indicated several items previously, however, we absolutely could not have done it without your financial and moral support, which has been critical.

    So please accept a huge thank you -- your contribution really has made a difference.

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  • The trees of Christchurch need you

      25 August 2016

    A Christchurch wind rustles in the branches--it could be the easterly, steady off the ocean and anything from cool to bleak; or the blustery nor'wester, beating in across the plains beneath a norwest arch, before it swings to southerly, busting up out of the Antarctic reaches. But whatever the direction, the wind blows through and around our city's trees and knows all their stories: the Burnside cabbage trees, marking the way across the Plains for both pre-European Maori and early European settlers; an avenue of elms in Opawa, that is unique in the city; the Clifton Bay pohutakawa at Sumner and ancient rimu at Little River; 158 year-old oak trees in Avonhead, planted about the city's second house; and a lancewood in Montreal Street, where one glance at the girth alone tells you that this is no youthful tree...

    The story these trees are telling nga hau e wha, the four winds, is that they are still under threat. A small dedicated band of citizens went through a first hearing -- only to have a second opened up on them, with everything to do again because the Council tried to go back on the agreement mediated as part of the first round. This has made everything incredibly tough and in terms of time and effort expended -- and very very expensive. The Council has the ratepayers to fall back on--but those speaking for the trees only have themselves and the generosity of the public.

    That is why those working for the trees have had to open up another Give A Little -- so if you feel you can, please do go here and Give Just A Little more:

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/saveheritagetrees

    Our small, dedicated band will be deeply appreciative -- but most importantly, you may just tip the balance that keeps these trees recognised and protected as part of Christchurch's unique treescape. And you know, that's really quite something: thank you.

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  • All our hard work is threatened

      2 August 2016

    The Christchurch City Council has used the fact that the hearing process has been reopened to try to walk away from the agreement we negotiated with them in the first half of the year.

    They are proposing changes that place an additional 400 of Christchurch's finest tress under threat, and call into question all of the "committments" that they have made.

    If we allow these changes to go forward unchallenged we will be allowing the Council to move us back to square one.

    Once again we are having to pay for experts and lawyers to speak for the trees in an expensive and bruising quasi legal process.

    We need help to fund this next stage of the fight. To this end we have opened a new "give a little" page.

    https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/saveheritagetrees

    If you can help us, then please stop buy and make a donation. 10 months into this process',we need all the help we can get.

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  • Bad News Regarding The Hearing Process

      12 July 2016

    On 29 May we advised that we would provide at least one more update, once the Independent Hearing Panel released its decisions on the Trees section of the Plan.

    This advice was based on our understanding of the normal hearing process for a District Plan and that legal closing by all parties had occurred.

    Today, we write with a very heavy heart to tell you that on 21 June the Independent Hearing Panel issued a "Direction" that was also a partial decision, directing that the whole process must be selectively renotified (i.e. to affected tree owners only).

    This was because in the Panel's view the original notification of tree owners did not fairly explain the planning process.

    As you know from our earlier update, the Civic Trust & Others' closing legal submissions were that the mediated agreement process was legally fair. This is because the process appeared to accord with usual planning practice in such cases.

    However, although we put in a legal memorandum (on 30 June) raising questions about the 21 June Direction, including whether selective or limited notification was fair, there is no right of appeal or redress except to seek a Judicial Review via the High Court.

    This path is a very expensive one for community-based groups and individual submitters to contemplate.

    In our view, the only process that would be truly fair to all parties would be to renotify the Trees section of the Plan completely.

    This would allow all property owners who wished to have their say, but also allow the wider public to express their aspiration for the City in regard to Heritage and Notable trees.

    We understand that the selective renotification process has generated around one hundred additional submissions from tree owners, some of whom have more than one tree on their property. The majority of these owners wish to have their trees removed from the City Plan schedule.

    We do not yet know what process is intended going forward but understand it will be announced soon.

    From our experience of the process to date we expect that the timeframe will be short and the cost of continued participation in the process high, both matters that we believe also affect fairness and natural justice.

    We wish we could have been writing with better news and will let you know more once the Panel has set out the new process.

    If you believe there is anything you can do to assist, then please email Andrew on boric@paradise.net.nz

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  • The Tree Hearing Has Offically Closed

      29 May 2016
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    On Friday, 20 May, Council lodged its closing legal submissions on Section 9.4 Trees, proposed Replacement Christchurch District Plan. Our closing submissions were lodged a month earlier, on 20 April. Apparently it is not usual to wait so long between the parties and Council closing in this Court-style setting, but the Independent Hearing Panel (IHP) decided to do so on 21 April.

    If you are interested, you can read the Civic Trust & Others' legal closing here:

    http://www.chchplan.ihp.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/3700-3211-3618-3566-3233-3287-3278-3270-3410-Christchurch-Civic-Trust-Ors-closing-legal-submission-20-04-2016-1.pdf

    The Council's closing is here:

    http://www.chchplan.ihp.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/3723-CCC-Topic-9.4-Significant-Trees-Closing-Submissions-20-5-2016.pdf

    We are told that what this means is that the hearing on Trees held on 9-10 February has now closed and all that remains is for the IHP to make its decisions. We hope that the Panel will uphold the mediated agreement given the emphasis placed on participating in mediation in the early stages of the process in particular.

    But although the Council's closing broadly supported the Civic Trust & Others' closing submission that the mediated agreement is legally fair, they also put two further options before the IHP:

    1. To renotify Section 9.4, which will send everyone back to the drawing board; or

    2. For the IHP to not uphold the mediated agreement.

    So there is still a great deal of uncertainty about what the final outcome of this process will be. However, we could not have participated in all the steps required by the Independent Hearing Process, without your very generous support. Most importantly of all, we could no have afforded the expert and legal representation that were essential for anyone wanting to participate effectively and be taken seriously in this process.

    In terms of what else is happening, our experts are continuing to meet with the Council as an agreement in principle has been reached to review the CTEM method that led to so many good trees being excluded from recognition and protection under the proposed Plan, particularly with regard to including recognition of the landscape contribution of significant trees and better provision for heritage and native trees, among other matters.

    We will provide a least one more update, once the IHP releases its decisions.

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  • Donations For The Trees Can Still Be Made: See Where & How

      1 April 2016
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    Although the Give A Little has closed, donations can still be made, either:

    Electronically to the Christchurch Civic Trust: KiwiBank Account # 389003 0081396 00

    (Please include your name and "Trees" as a reference)

    Or:

    By cheque to the Christchurch Civic Trust, PO Box 1927. Christchurch 8140.

    All donations via the Civic Trust are tax deductible and will be receipted.

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  • The Very Last Day for Our Give A Little -- And The Very Last Tree For You To Meet

      26 March 2016
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    Meet the Hadfield -- aka Stanmore -- Elm

    This venerable tree clocks in at 150 years old and is reputedly the largest of its type (it's a "weeping Wych elm"; Ulmus glabra horizontalis ) in NZ. And with Dutch elm disease rife that most likely makes it pretty durned special in the world, too.

    Now located on the site of the expanded Stanmore Road supermarket, it has suffered from Very Bad Pruning (including reducing the dripline to expand the driveway and carpark) -- but despite this and earthquakes, it's still looking good for its age and "typical for its cultivar" according to the entry on the NZ Notable Trees' Register.

    Originally "failed" by the Council for "poor health" and a poor rating for "suitability in the landscape" (which is ludicrous from an "everyday person's" point of view and also not supported by either our landscape architect or arborist.)

    At any rate, not only our group but also the Hadfield family have rallied behind this tree in the hearings, and since the supermarket did not bring opposing evidence, we are very hopeful that it will be included in the new Plan -- which in our collective view it undoubtedly deserves to be. To do the supermarket justice as well, they have re-landscaped the area in a way that generally supports the tree, which enhances the prospect that it may continue to contribute to the Christchurch landscape and local area for many years to come. (And apparently these trees can potentially live for 400-500 years, so who knows?)

    You can read the NZ Notable Trees Trust entry -- with added historic photo goodness -- here: http://register.notabletrees.org.nz/tree/view/1344

    Sounding The Last Post For The Give A Little:

    As for the fundraising, although we know we've done wonderfully well already, we still can't help hoping for just a few more donations before 11pm (NZST), to inch us a tiny bit closer to our goal. But if anyone should happen along after close-off and wants to give, donations can still be made:

    Electronically to the Christchurch Civic Trust: KiwiBank Account # 389003 0081396 00 (Please include your name and "Trees" as a reference)

    Or: By cheque to the Christchurch Civic Trust, PO Box 1927. Christchurch 8140.

    All donations via the Civic Trust are tax deductible and will be receipted.

    A Very Big Thank You To All Of You:

    I suspect that you already know that you have not only all been awesome, but that we couldn't have done everything we've had to do without your wonderful support.

    We really do deeply appreciate your tremendous generosity -- and just so hope our team's expert and legal arguments will find favour with the Panel and that many, if not all, of these Heritage and Notable trees will still be recognised and protected in the new Plan.

    Because we'd really like to keep them with us, a living, vital part of Christchurch's future.

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  • Only 3 Days To Go -- But You Can Still Meet The Trees: Meet the Dudley Street Oaks

      22 March 2016
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    In a way you're already met these wonderful trees since they feature on the video, but I thought I'd like to introduce them to you in person.

    The trees are Quercus x heterophylla, aka Bartrams oak, which are rare in both the Christchurch and New Zealand context.

    Arguably, they also constitute the single most significant feature in the Dudley Street Character Area, which has just been approved as part of the Independent Hearing Panel's decisions on the Replacement Plan's residential zones.

    Yet under the Council's proposed tree provisions, the Dudley Street oak avenue will lose its "notable" status --- when clearly, it still warrants such recognition.

    With only 3 days left until this Give A Little ends, I thought the importance of the trees and this campaign has been encapsulated by Christchurch-based author, Helen Lowe, who wrote:

    "A huge part of Christchurch’s built environment, particularly heritage buildings, has been lost as a direct consequence of the 2010 – 2011 earthquakes. By and large, though, the city’s trees, including its wonderful collection of Heritage and Notable trees, have survived the destruction — and provide a great sense of continuity and also reassurance: that something of value has not only survived but continues to flourish.

    As you may know, I live in one of the areas that was harder hit by the earthquakes, so in the middle of so much destruction and loss the trees have been a tremendous comfort and inspiration to (also) keep going."

    The Dudley Street oaks are one of the tree groups that have given Helen that sense of continuity and reassurance in the aftermath of the earthquakes. She, however, says that a Christchurch poet, Tom Weston, has more powerfully captured something of what she feels, with these lines in his poem titled "Aftershock":

    "...

    when trees fall in and try to keep

    their feet, pushing back

    on despair,

    as the last word before rapture

    takes me out?

    I’m waiting for it now.

    And what should I do about hope?”

    Helen says she really likes the idea of the trees pushing back on despair, both at the physical and metaphorical level. And that for her this whole process has been a reiteration of the poem's last question, over and over again:

    "And what should I do about hope?"

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  • Meet the Trees: This is one of the Little River Kahikatea

      14 March 2016
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    Christchurch's Heritage and Notable native trees were particularly hard hit by the Council's Replacement Plan assessment method, to the extent that in those initially proposed for inclusion in the Plan, "native trees were significantly underrepresented compared with exotic

    species." (Cadwallader, Evidence, 14 December 2015.)

    This tree, which was also featured in our last update, is a kahikatea, one of approximately 10-15 located in the township of Little River and on the Christchurch-Akaroa Road, that Council records identify as being pre-European.

    For a tree of that age, ie at least two hundred years old but possibly more, it looks in pretty great shape -- and yet, despite the records existing, the box for "exceptional age" was not checked. In fact none of the pre-European kahikatea were identified as being heritage trees.

    We don't think that gave this tree, or its comrades-in-arms, a "fair go" -- all part of the reason that we have sought your help to try and keep these trees listed in the Christchurch Plan. And present in our landscape.

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  • If You Could, if You Would...Like the Greek states with Thermopylae, We Need a "300"

      8 March 2016
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    The last few weeks have been tough for all those working for Christchurch's Heritage and Notable Trees.

    As reported in our February 23 update, we attended the Tree hearings on 9 and 10 February, and our experts gave their evidence--only to have the Panel open up the process for further "mediation", and also open the door to Council to present more evidence.

    One of the reasons there has been an update hiatus since then is simply because the extended process has proven so demanding and taken so much of everyone's time so no one has been available to do updates.

    Yet the extended process and reopened door, when normally the hearing means "the end", means that we may also have to prepare and present more evidence, as well as have a lawyer back on deck to cross-examine and re-examine witnesses.

    So the potential additional cost and financial burden for groups like ours is simply huge. And although, thanks to your generosity, we have now made it past the halfway mark to the $25,000 target, we now desperately need to raise the remaining $11,310 -- and maybe a little bit more.

    So we figure that, like the Greek states with the Persian army approaching Thermopylae, we need a "300" as well, to stand in the fundraising "gates of fire". The "300" isn't just because of the Spartans at Thermopylae though.

    If we just say we still need $11,300 or even $15,000 that sounds like a huge sum, right. But if 300 people give $50 each, which is a relatively small sum by comparison, that's $15,000 right there.

    So that's why we're saying we need a "300" -- 300 people to donate $50 each. (Or 600 to donate $25, or a 1000 to donate $15.)

    Now you have already all given and given generously -- but there are 178 of you so if you all asked 2 people you know who might wish to donate, we would already have not just a "300" but 356 potential new donors.

    So if you could, if you would, consider asking another 2 people directly, or even 2 more, to donate we would be profoundly grateful.

    And although we can't guarantee that it will ensure a good outcome for the trees through this extended hearing process it will keep us in the game--and that has to give the trees at least a fighting chance.

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  • Meet the Trees: the Le Bons' Bay Northern Rata

      27 February 2016
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    This Northern Rata, located at Le Bons Bay on Banks Peninsula is reputedly both the largest and oldest of this species within the wider Christchurch City area.

    It is said to be in the region of

    150 years of age -- another tree that you'd "thunk" would be a dead cert to stay on the Council's schedule for heritage reasons.

    Yet the boxes for noteworthy 'age' and 'heritage' were not even ticked in the Council's assessment. The tree was also marked down, somewhat surprisingly to those of us who are mere laypeople, for "structure", "stature", and "visibility".

    However, it will return to the Replacement Plan register if the Independent Hearing Panel upholds our group's mediated agreement with the Council.

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  • Meet The Trees: the 48 Park Terrace Oak -- Initially "Failed To Pass"

      25 February 2016
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    Although achieving 990 points overall, 220 above the 770 threshold for inclusion in the Replacement Plan, this tree was excluded on the grounds that it's structure was only 'fair' due to "heavy, extended long branches."

    While this may be so, the assessment also recommended that this be remedied by "gradual branch reduction in stages to help create shorter canopy growth and help prevent branch failures." Since the health, shape, and site suitability were all recorded as being very good, and it's a highly visible tree in the inner city landscape, it's bemusing to know how and why it ended being excluded from the proposed Replacement Plan.

    Yet if the agreement our group negotiated with the Council through mediation is approved by the Hearing Panel, this tree will remain on the Plan. Which is all part of why we need your help to "keep going" in this process -- for the trees and their contribution to Christchurch's character.

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  • This is how it happens -- & Why Your Generosity Really Counts

      23 February 2016
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    As a group of citizens, we have given our all to get the necessary (to be taken seriously and have a hope of being effective) expert team into the prehearing mediation and then prepare evidence for the hearings -- only to have the goalposts shift again.

    Yesterday, the Independent Hearing Panel issued a memorandum that gives the opportunity for further mediation on specific topics. While it "is" an opportunity, it also means we need to be "at the table" and able to respond on an equal footing with the Council and others -- but that only lifts the financial bar again.

    So yes, although the special process for this Replacement Plan does not preclude the community participating and articulating their aspirations for Christchurch's future--as our group is finding with the trees, to do so effectively comes at considerable cost.

    A cost that we can only have a hope of meeting through your generosity and that of others like you.

    We're over halfway now to our goal of $25,000 which would allow us to meet the challenges of this new round (because observation of earlier sections of the Plan told us we would need to allow for this in our planning) -- but that remaining half is critical to this phase and delivering the final legal submissions necessary to support our case.

    So if you know someone who cares about Christchurch's character and the future of its legacy of heritage and notable trees, please ask them if they would consider giving as well, to help us keep going and keep inputting for the trees until we reach the final finish line.

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  • Meet the Trees: Missing In Action -- the Arts Centre Copper Beech

      17 February 2016
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    Arborist Brad Cadwallader believes that the Christchurch Arts Centre's copper beech is "perhaps one of the most outstanding exotic trees in Christchurch" -- but initially it (and the other Arts Centre trees) weren't even assessed by the Council, and excluded from the proposed Replacement Plan on those grounds. Part of our mediated agreement with the Council was that all these trees be assessed. Unsurprisingly, they are now all added to the list for inclusion on the Plan -- if the Independent Hearing Panel endorses the mediated agreement. "But if you've followed the process in good faith and reached an agreement," you may say, "shouldn't the Panel's decision just follow automatically?"

    But the Panel have already raised the question of fairness to tree owners who haven't lodged a submission or further submission -- and "fairness" is a legal matter, which is why it is so important that we can afford a lawyer to make legal submissions to support the trees' case.

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  • Meet the Trees: The Clifton Bay Pohutukawa

      16 February 2016
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    The landmark Pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa; "New Zealand Christmas tree") at Clifton Bay in Sumner was excluded from the Replacement Plan on the grounds of fair "structure" and "service life" despite scoring 990 assessment points -- 300 over the 690 point pass rate for native tree species. Our landscape architect's evidence noted that it is an "outstanding mature example of Pohutukawa, the largest in Christchurch. The CCC (Christchurch City Council) assessment has no cultural or botanical value assigned."

    If the Independent Hearing Panel approves the mediated agreement between our group of submitters and the Council, then the pohutukawa will be included (reinstated) on the Replacement Plan, together with a number of other significant trees on the same site.

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  • Meet the Trees: the Cooptown Limes

      15 February 2016
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    We think the Cooptown limes are possibly one of the most iconic avenues of trees in Christchurch city, which now includes Banks Peninsula ward, where these trees are located. (Cooptown is just past Little River.)

    The trees were planted in 1940 to commemorate the centenary of the Treaty of Waitangi and are a significant landmark on the Christchurch-Akaroa highway (SH 75), which is a major route for both local and international tourism.

    Council's own Landscape Study of Banks Peninsula, undertaken by Boffa Miskell in 2007, says that, "Cooptown is notable for the avenue of trees that lines the main Christchurch to Akaroa road ... [and that] ... the lime avenue through Cooptown have been identified as heritage trees and are a visible reminder of the past."

    Like the Yaldhurst gum, the Cooptown limes are located on SH 75, ie public land -- and again, even though NZTA has agreed, the Council is still refusing to agree to these trees going back on the schedule.

    Unfortunately, it gets worse. The limes fall within the approximately163*, currently listed Banks Peninsula trees on public land that are not going to be scheduled or have any recognition or protection at all once the Replacement Plan is operative -- if the Council's proposals are successful.

    We feel the Council's abandonment of the Banks Peninsula's Heritage and Notable trees on public land is shameful and a failure of stewardship.

    Our only hope is that the evidence our experts have presented, and the agreement they have reached with the Crown, will be successful before the Independent Hearing Panel.

    * We understand that this estimate of 163 trees being delisted on Banks Peninsula does not include the approximately 200 trees in the Garden of Tane, in Akaroa, which is also being delisted.

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  • Meet The Trees: The Burnside Cabbage Tree/s (Cordyline Australis)

      14 February 2016
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    The Burnside cabbage tree/s are old--several hundred years old, we understand. But the tree clump is not just significant for that reason (although most would say its reason enough for listing and continued protection). The tree/s are also culturally significant, because Ngai Tahu, the region's tangata whenua (first people), used them as a route marker in pre-European New Zealand.

    You'd think that would make them a dead cert to stay on the Council's schedule for heritage reasons, wouldn't you? But no. Although (admittedly as lay people) the trees look in reasonably good nick to us, apparently the Council's arboricultural assessment only gave them a life expectancy of another 5 years (after they've stood on this spot for hundreds; so yeah, right!)

    Thus even if (and it may still be quite a big "if") the Hearing Panel will honour the mediated agreement between the Council and submitters, these trees will still be excluded.

    They are reliant on one submission -- or common sense prevailing -- to be reinstated as "significant" -- which we believe they unquestionably are. So let's hope common sense does prevail.

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  • Meet the Trees: the "Yaldhurst" Gum

      14 February 2016
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    Donor, Vicki Wilkinson-Baker asked us if we could get the list of affected trees out into the public domain -- but it's a very long list: ca. 1243 trees on private land and another 724 in the public realm.

    So we thought we'd start by introducing some of the most significant trees that still face losing their current protected status.

    First up, I'd like you to meet the "Yaldhurst Gum" -- a tree that used to be on Council’s website as an example of one of Christchurch’s most significant trees. It's quite a feature in the north-west Christchurch landscape, but this is more than just a fine example of a Tasmanian blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus). It has been recorded in a number of heritage surveys since the 1940s as being of particular genetic interest because it is not affected by the 30 bugs and insects that aflict many other blue gums, and is therefore of significant value for its genetic material.

    But here's the thing: the Yaldhurst gum is located on SH 73, ie public land -- and even though NZTA has agreed, the Council is still refusing to agree to it going back on the schedule.

    So as with all the trees, its fate rests with the Independent Hearing Panel -- which listens to expert evidence and legal arguments. That's why we still need support to keep our team in there, speaking for the Yaldhurst gum.

    Next up: the Burnside cabbage trees

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  • We're making progress...

      10 February 2016

    Our campaign to keep Christchurch's Heritage and Notable Trees listed has had gained some momentum this week -- but it's far from over.

    In our video, we told you that we had negotiated hard to get agreement to reinstate around 900 trees on private land on the District Plan. Yesterday, the Council officially confirmed that position. Here's a link to The Press article:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/76748786/council-proposal-to-remove-protected-tree-status-cut-back

    However, it's not up to the Council. The decision rests with the Independent Hearing Panel. Which is why yesterday our lawyer and small team of experts: arborist, landscape architect, and planner appeared before the panel to support the agreement with the Council and put the case for the trees.

    You can read, or listen to, the Radio New Zealand report here:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/296090/plan-to-cut-protected-tree-numbers-trimmed

    We thought they were professional and convincing - but came across as very committed as well. And we felt the Panel were listening to them, too.

    We are grateful to the experts for the time and effort they've put in for the trees and for Christchurch. But it's not over - there are still legal submissions to be made, supporting our expert case, and if the Panel asks for more input from the experts then we have to provide it.

    So we can't drop the Trees ball, which is why your support is so vital. Your generosity is making a huge difference, keeping our team in the game - and anything you can do to spread the word and encourage others to Give A Little will really make a difference.

    Thank you again!

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  • Speaking for the Trees: Update 2

      7 February 2016

    I'd just like to thank you all for the tremendous generosity and support you've shown to our Give-A-Little. Owing to the lack of consultation, tight timeframes, and highly legalistic process we still feel that we're really up against it in "speaking for the trees." So your help is a tremendous help and encouragement to us in keeping going.

    And although this is undoubtedly about the trees, it isn't 'just' about that. It's also about Christchurch's future and what sort of post earthquake city we're going to have. And the vision we collectively have about that future and whether it involves carrying the good from our past forward with us.

    We believe that good undoubtedly includes our city's heritage and notable trees.

    But in order to have any say in that, we have to be able to keep going in a highly legalistic framework that is all about lawyers and experts, rather than enabling ordinary people to participate and say what we want for our future.

    So just to give you an idea what this all means, right now we have an arborist, a landscape architect, a planner, and a lawyer all having to prepare and put forward evidence and legal submissions at the forthcoming hearing that will decide the trees' fate.

    It's a huge huge financial and time cost and we are all tremendously daunted by it. So thank you again for your help, to help us keep going and keep our team in a process that one onlooker recently described as a "blood sport."

    But it's not a sport to us. It's about what sort of city we're going to have to live in and what words like "recovery" and "regeneration" should really mean, five years on from the earthquakes.

    On behalf of the team and most of all trees: thank you.

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  • Campaign Progress

      30 January 2016

    Thank you to everyone who has donated so far. We made some good progress this week on saving 120 of the 700 trees that are currently under threat on public land.

    We are still fighting for the rest. Thank you once again for your help.

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