Save Notable Trees In Christchurch

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.