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A controversial tree planting project for Snells Beach has been put on hold, following opposition from local residents (MM, Aug 14).
Auckland Council wants to plant more than 100 pohutukawa and titoki trees on berms along Tamariki Drive, Ariki Drive, Snells Beach Road and Dalton Road this spring.
Rodney Local Board member Michelle Carmichael told the August board meeting that there were huge concerns from residents, who were worried about potential issues with underground services, overhead lines, view restriction and trailer parking near boat ramps.
Council works programme lead Angie Bennett said although they had hoped to have consulted with individual property owners, the process would have taken so long that no work would end up being carried out.
However, she said that because of the controversy, planting would be put on hold in Snells, plus Point Wells and Omaha Beach as well, until further discussion had taken place.
In spite of that reassurance, there were concerns that the message might not have got through to all council work teams.
Last week a Snells Beach resident spotted contractors planting a liquid amber tree on a boat trailer park. The matter was being pursued Rodney Local Board and council as Mahurangi Matters went to press, but it appeared the trees were being planted not by council, but by Auckland Transport, again with no consultation with residents.
