Trees and Vegetation Delivery Work Plan support, either in a temporary location or as part of a permanent solution. Extensive under and above ground support would be required, which would be difficult to install and safely maintain in a public realm environment.”
As it has been concluded that the 11 pōhutukawa trees are unable to be transplanted, they will be replaced as part of public realm reinstatement works in accordance with designation condition 55.3(c).
4. Mitigation Measures As identified above, the Aotea main works will affect the 11 pōhutukawa trees on Albert Street. In order to mitigate the effects of tree removal on the local streetscape and prevent further loss or damage to impacted trees, the following mitigation measures will be implemented during the works. CRLL and the Link Alliance are maintaining a Tree Register for the entire CRL project which, for the purposes of the current TV DWP, includes a record of all trees removed as a result of the Aotea Station construction works.
4.1 Trees Requiring Removal / Relocation As outlined in Section 3.1, the 11 pōhutukawa trees will require removal during the Aotea main works. This work will be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced arborist.
4.1.1. Transplanting Trees If transplantation of the trees were deemed to be feasible, this would be undertaken in a manner that allows them to be replanted within the designation area following the completion of main construction works or at another suitable location to be determined in consultation with Auckland Council’s Senior Advisor Urban Forest. Tree relocation methodologies generally follow a set process and shall be informed by the Project Arborist. This process should consider the following: • •
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Timing of works – removal should ideally occur outside of active growth stages, after flowering or before flower budding, if practicable. Temporary storage site – this will need to be identified prior to removing the trees. The site must have a hardstand area large enough to house the trees, with a water connection; and be in or near the CBD to allow easy transport. Preparation – prior to being dug out, the trees may need to be pruned and selected branches tied back to protect them during the relocation process, foliage may also need to be sprayed with anti-transpiration prior to works. A trench will need to be dug around the root balls, the dimensions of which will be at the discretion of the arborist, and outer roots trimmed as required. The trench will need to be deep and wide enough to allow the root balls to be undercut at a 45-degree to allow its extraction. Transport – the root balls will need to be covered in damp hessian/burlap to keep as much of the root balls and soil intact during transport. The trees will need to be removed using a digger or small crane and transported, in an upright position, using a flatbed truck. Storage – the trees will need to be transferred to temporary planter boxes large enough to contain the root ball and support the tree during storage. The planter should be kept in a cool, shaded place and the roots kept moist until it can be replanted. Aged mulch and high fungal compost will be added to the planter. | Aotea Station Main Works
