The Waitemata Local Board has a long-standing project to restore the native forest at Western Springs Lakeside Park and upgrade the tracks.
The independent commissioners reviewed all the evidence presented and determined that removal of the pines in one operation as now proposed is a practicable approach to enhancing the indigenous biodiversity values of the Special Ecological Area (SEA) and providing for the appreciation of the park as an urban forest. Subject to appeal of the decision to the Environment Court, the project is proceeding taking into consideration the following:
• The commissioners accepted that removal is required due to ongoing and increasing health and safety concerns in relation to the trees’ continuing decline and failure.
• The alternative option of allowing the pines to fall and the indigenous vegetation to continue to develop was considered, but rejected as this would require the closure of the pine tree area and involve no access and no pest control. This will lead to the proliferation of pest plants and hinder the regeneration of the indigenous vegetation.
• The methodology has been revised to focus on the aim of restoring and enhancing the park’s SEA values. The access track will only be to the width of the digger (up to 4m wide is consented, but likely to be less) and for 200m (50% less area than originally proposed).
• Removal of tree trunks will be limited and most will be mulched on site.
• An independent ecologist will provide oversight to limit the damage to the understory. This will be minimised as much as possible – at the most extreme there could be up to 50% damage to low-level plants but, due to the change in methodology, damage is likely to be a lot less. Soil erosion and silt run off will also
be minimised.
• An independent arborist is required to oversee the works and will work closely with the independent ecologist to minimise damage from the tree felling.
• Planting will be from a ‘species palette’ consistent with the SEA values. Up to 15,000 plants are available, but with the reduction in the plantable area (due to the trunks remaining in situ) there is likely to be space for approximately 10,000 plants.
• As part of the conditions, council will appoint a community liaison person to be available 12 hours per day; updates will be provided every second day on a purpose-built webpage.
The revised methodology and additional conditions are intended to achieve the best possible outcomes for the SEA and for the wider community.
The next window for pine removal is now February - March 2020 (to avoid bird roosting season, wet weather, etc). The whole operation including planting will take approximately six weeks. We’ve been advised that it is not possible to open the walking track in the interim because of the risk of failing pines.
The appeal by a newly formed Society for the Protection of Western Springs Forest Inc will allow the opportunity to test whether the commissioners have got it right and whether any evidence has been overlooked. Unfortunately, it may also result in further delays to the restoration project, first consulted on in 2015, and limit use of the park in the meantime for public access and recreational purposes.
(PIPPA COOM)
Contact Pippa Coom, Chair of Waitamata Local Board, pippa.coom@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, www.facebook.com/waitemata