13 January 2020
Media: Rotorua-based local democracy reporter
Topic: Ford Rd tree pruning
Enquiry
Some residents have expressed concern over the pruning of trees on Ford Rd.
There are two key issues:
- Some trees (on the western side of the street) have been pruned so they are on a potentially hazardous lean (according to residents) on to the street (picture below).
- Trees on the eastern side of the street appear not to have been pruned at all. Residents say low hanging branches are often ripped down by passing trucks and they (residents) have to tidy it up. There is also concern that power lines run through the foliage of many of these unpruned trees.
- Has the Council received complaints about the trees and their pruning on Ford Rd (in December 2019 or January 2020)? If so, what were the main concerns in these complaints?
- Does the Council plan on pruning trees on the eastern side of Ford Rd? If so, when?
- What is the reason for the lean of the trees on the western side of Ford Rd?
- Is the Council confident these trees are not "top heavy" and potentially hazardous, i.e. that they could fall over onto residents or cars?
- Is the Council aware of the potential fire hazard to the unpruned trees with power lines running through their foliage? If so what is the Council doing to mitigate this risk?
- How does the Council plan to mitigate the lean of these trees?
[see image referred to HERE]
Response
From Sport, Recreation and Environment Manager Rob Pitkethley:
Council's arborist contractor pruned the trees pictured prior to Christmas. This work is standard procedure to clear foliage away from power lines. The contractors are scheduled to continue the pruning work further along Ford Road this month. At the same time, they will inspect the trees on the eastern side and carry out any pruning that is required.
There are a couple of ways to prune trees that are near power lines. One method is called tunnelling' which means the arborist cuts away the foliage around the lines producing a tunnel effect. You can see evidence of this method applied to the street trees on Clayton Road. The method you can see in the picture is more simple in that all the trees on the power line side are removed.
These days Council avoids planting trees near power lines to avoid this very issue.
The trees pictured would have undergone the same pruning method for a number of years. This has caused the tree to essentially strengthen one side of the trunk more than the other and because the tree canopy is all on one side it intensifies the leaning look. The canopy will be pruned as needed based on the 3 yearly maintenance programme.
The standard inspection programme for trees within the district is 1 - 3 years. Pruning or other maintenance is carried out as needed based on those inspections. Contractors are also required to prioritise maintenance based on safety risk. If Council is notified about, or observes any trees that require urgent maintenance, it would be prioritised ahead of the scheduled programme.
If the public have concerns about a tree in their neighbourhood they can phone it through to Council on 07 348 4199 or email info@rotorualc.nz. Council is also reachable on Facebook.
Information:
Please note that a search of our customer enquiry database shows no requests for service in regards to trees on Ford Road during December 19 or January 2020.
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Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Hemo sculpture
Enquiry
Reporter following up on Hemo sculpture enquiry from last week (see HERE) sought breakdown of funding additional to Council funding for the project.
Response
The following information re funding grants was provided. It excludes the commercial operators who have contributed:
NZTA - $200,000
Rotorua Community Arts Trust - $15,000
Rotorua Public Arts Trust - $35,000 (Lion Foundation $5000, Infinity Foundation $5000, Rotorua Trust $25,000)
Total - $250,000
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Media: NZME (Rotorua Daily Post and BOP Times)
Topic: Cat trapping
Enquiry
Reporter asked if Council was involved in cat trapping, saying she had heard reports from a Rotorua resident that her neighbour was trapping her cats when they wandered onto his property.
Reporter wanted to check if this was legal in a suburban setting, or if Rotorua Lakes Council had any policies surrounding cat trapping in general.
Response
Reporter was told Council occasionally will help out with feral or wild cats but there is no current legislation specific to managing issues with cats.
We suggested SPCA could assist with information and comment regarding animal welfare issues relating to cats.
