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Notable Tree Plan Change

Overview

The Far North District Council is currently undertaking a review of all Notable Trees in the Far North District.  This review includes reassessing Notable Trees currently scheduled in the Far North Partly Operative District Plan, and calling for nominations to have additional Notable Trees included in the District Plan.

We have a list of some of the frequently asked questions regarding the review of notable Trees in the Far North District:

What if I have a Notable Tree listed in the District Plan already?

You will receive a call from the project consultant to set up a site visit.  This visit will involve:

  1. A geographical position recording, to ensure that the tree is located on the correct parcel of land.
  2. A photograph/s of the tree, so that the general condition of the tree can be monitored over time.
  3. An assessment of the general condition of the tree; and
  4. Recommendations on remedial work if required.

 
Once this is completed the project consultant will forward the necessary paper work onto Council to correlate.

Does Council provide any financial assistance for remedial work recommended by the project consultant?

Yes. Council has available a contestable fund of up to $5000 through the Heritage Assistance Fund. Landowners / Community Groups are welcome to apply, however priority will be given to those trees recommended by the project consultant as requiring urgent attention.

NOMINATING NEW NOTABLE TREES

Who can nominate a tree and how?

Anyone can nominate to have a tree included on the Notable Tree schedule.  The nominee is required to complete the nomination form available from a Council Service Centre.  Alternatively, download one from Council’s website, or request a form to be sent out.  Once the form is completed you can drop it off at the nearest Council Service Centre, or post the form to Far North District Council, Sustainable Environment Department, Private Bag 752, Kaikohe.

What are the best practice requirements?

Council would expect that best practice requirements are followed throughout this process.  This includes the nominee:

  1. Having consulted with the landowner.
  2. Providing a statement on why the tree should be included on the Notable Tree schedule.

Why is it important to consult the landowner?

This step is imperative to the success of the nomination. If the landowner is involved at the beginning of the process and support is obtained, this provides a strong base for having the tree scheduled as a Notable Tree.

Council will as a further measure of goodwill, contact the landowner by letter asking for their views on the nomination and seeking approval for a site visit to be carried out.

What are the implications on you as the landowner?

The Far North District Plan has a rule which applies to landowners who have Notable Trees scheduled in Appendix 3.  This rule allows the landowner to trim, maintain, or fell a notable tree that has died, on condition that the work is carried out by, or under the supervision of, a member of the New Zealand Arboricultural Association.  Council must be notified in advance of the work to be carried out.

What will the site visit entail and who will do it?

All site visits will be carried out by the project consultant who will be tasked with the job of assessing the nominated tree using a standard evaluation method developed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture known as the Standard Tree Evaluation Method (STEM).  Further to this, the project consultant will take a location reading and will photograph the tree.

What happens once the assessment is completed?

Once the assessment has been completed the project consultant will advise Council staff of the tree’s eligibility and will make a recommendation on whether the tree should be included in the Notable Tree Plan Change.  Trees which score above 1000 points using the STEM evaluation method will be recommended for inclusion as a Notable Tree, however, if the tree scores under 1000 points it will not be considered suitable as a Notable Tree under the District Plan.

When do nominations close?

Nominations close at 5.00pm, 31st August 2007.

What happens once the information has been collated?

Once the site visits and information has been checked and collated, Council will decide which trees should remain on the Notable Tree schedule and which nominated trees should be included as Notable Trees.  A Notable Tree Plan Change will be undertaken to implement amendments and additions to the Notable Tree schedule.

Where to from here?

The Notable Tree Plan Change will then be publicly notified and copies will be forwarded to affected parties for comment.  A link is provided for your convenience explaining the statutory process and timeframes involved in undertaking a Plan Change.

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To view the Nomination Form
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