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A large macrocarpa near Manly Beach – believed to be almost 90-100 years old and described as a landmark of the area – could be felled after independent commissioners granted resource consent recently.
Tree Council chair Sean Freeman says the tree appears to have been part of a shelterbelt planted in around 1930.
The tree was given Auckland Council’s highest level of protection, when it was listed on its Notable Tree register.
The owners of the properties at 27 Moreton Drive and 6 Glamis Ave, where the tree is located, applied for resource consent back in May to remove it, as well as another large macrocarpa that is on the street nearby (HM May 18, 2021) – separate approval, in the form of Tree Asset Owner Approval has been obtained to remove the street tree.
The resource consent application was made by the Roger Spooner Family Trust in order to facilitate access to a new home to be built on the beachfront.
Council took the rare step of publicly notifying the consent because of the tree’s notable status – the other tree is “protected” because it is on the road reserve.
A total of 19 submissions were received – 14 of which were in support. Among those supporting the removal of the trees were the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and owners of neighbouring properties.
Opposition came from The Tree Council and members of Hibiscus Coast Forest & Bird. Some arborists supported the felling and others did not – based on their differing assessments of the health of the tree and its potential for losing limbs or having other structural issues in future.
The Tree Council is considering whether or not to appeal the decision.
