Trees December 2019
Early works are underway to clear sites for the new Aotea and Karangahape Stations and the redevelopment of Mt Eden Station. This includes removal of structures and trees within the station footprints.
We are committed to contributing to a green, liveable and sustainable city centre. As part of the CRL work, construction sites must be cleared and the removal of some trees is necessary. Any trees removed will be replaced at a minimum one for one when we complete streetscapes and public realm enhancements at the end of construction. The CRL project will leave more trees than we started with.
Which trees are affected? Aotea Station works require trees to be removed from Bledisloe House car park, and the adjacent section of Mayoral Drive. Other trees on Albert Street between Wyndham Street and Victoria Street West are in the construction zone, as are a few on Victoria Street West near the intersection with Albert Street. Karangahape Station works require the removal of trees from Mercury Lane and Beresford Square. Mt Eden Station and associated utility relocation worksites include trees on Fenton Street, Normanby Road and Boston Road. Further assessment will determine whether any of these trees can be transplanted. The trees to be removed vary in species, age and size. Most are exotics and not notable. A small amount are native trees.
How is the decision to remove trees made? Assessment of trees is ongoing as construction methodology and design details are developed. Before we can confirm the need to remove a tree we must show that we have investigated the feasibility of: • fencing them off for the construction period • pruning them to gain space required for construction • storing them to replant in place at the end of construction, or transplanting them Where none of these are viable, we will confirm the need to remove the tree.
How will they be removed? The trees will be removed in stages starting with outer limbs then inner limbs, then the trunk. Remaining stumps will be dug out or ground down. Any debris will be mulched onsite.
What does ‘notable’ mean? The Council or Environment Court can grant ‘notable’ status to give a tree or group of trees special protection based on their species, unique characteristics or heritage. The Tulip trees along Mayoral Drive from Wellesley Street to the Auckland Art Gallery, are collectively notable as a ‘tree boulevard’. We need to remove fewer than 7% of the trees in this boulevard and will replace them on project completion with semi-mature specimens to accelerate growth and canopy cover.
Flower of the Liriodendron Tulipifera
WHAT HAPPENS TOA checklist THEforTREES? trees on site. The CRL project will leave more trees than we started with.
Can we work around the tree? If not ... The tree is removed
Change site layout? Install protective fencing? Prune the tree?
Native trees ready and waiting at the nursery
Can any of the trees on site be transplanted? Each tree is assessed by the Project Arborist to determine if it can be transplanted or stored in a nursery to be replanted when works are complete. Factors assessed for each tree are: • The health of the tree • The age of the tree - the root systems of established trees are often entangled with other underground structures
Can we transplant the tree?
Is it semi-mature? Is it the right time of year?
If not ... the tree is unlikey to survive transplanting
The tree is...
• The time of year - transplanting has a higher success rate in winter • The cost to transplant - including removal, transport, storage, nursery care, and replanting
Is it in good health?
Offered to Mana Whenua
Offered to local woodturning and craft guilds Chipped and where possible, reused onsite
• The overall value of transplanting - the cost to transplant and care for readily available trees is often several times higher than purchasing new trees from a nursery.
Who has been involved in these decisions?
What happens to the trees after removal?
• Project arborist - assesses tree health, suitability for transplanting and supervises tree removals
Trees are first offered to Mana Whenua, and any trees or parts of trees not taken by them are offered to local wood turners and wood craft guilds. Any remaining tree debris is chipped and where possible, re-used on site.
• Project planners and arborist – investigate options for each tree and develop proposals for the management of trees during construction (including tree removal). These proposals form part of a management plan which is reviewed by an independent arborist before being submitted to Auckland Council. • Council arborist and planners – review the management plan with reference to existing approvals for the CRL project and make recommendations to an Independent Commissioner who ultimately decides if changes are needed to the way trees are managed during construction. • Mana Whenua – provide advice about appropriate treatment of trees
When will it happen? Trees will be removed from around the Aotea Station site footprint and construction support area during December 2019 and January 2020. Trees will be removed from the Karangahape and Mt Eden Station sites between January and March 2020.
Will more trees be planted? Yes – we will leave more trees than we started with. Extra trees are being planted within project sites around Britomart and Lower Albert Street. We will develop and implement replanting plans as part of our urban design and public realm enhancement works for Aotea, Karangahape and Mt Eden Stations. Communities will be invited to provide feedback on these plans. We are also looking to support community planting programmes and work with community groups to develop new planting schemes at various sites across Auckland.
What are the legacy benefits? The public realm improvements around stations contribute to Auckland City Centre Master Plan objectives of greening the city and creating a more sustainable Auckland.
The Link Alliance will design, construct and deliver CRL’s twin rail tunnels, two new underground stations and a new Mt Eden station building. The Link Alliance includes seven companies with a wealth of experience in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects in New Zealand and overseas. The companies in the Link Alliance are: Vinci Construction Grands Project S.A.S, Soletanche Bachy International NZ, Downer New Zealand Ltd, Tonkin & Taylor, AECOM New Zealand Ltd, WSP, City Rail Link Ltd.