Official Information Request - tree removal
Sent: Tuesday, 28 June 2022 2:30 pm
Subject: Official Information request - tree removal
I refer to your online Official Information request of 1 June 2022 regarding trees removed by council or contractors since 2017.
This information is not held in an easily accessible format, as tree removal work is carried out across a number of departments through various recording systems. Staff have carried out a manual search through job records and purchase orders to provide the following data. For this reason the data may not be a complete record.
Note: Some information cannot be provided as the information requested is not recorded. For this reason parts of your request are declined as per section 17(e) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act ‘that the information requested does not exist or cannot be found’.
The number of trees removed by the council or contractors since 2017, broken down yearly.
Period | Description | Total Quantity of Trees Removed | Total Amount | Comments |
July 2021-June 2022 | Open Spaces Maintenance Contract Tree Removals | 326 | 249,834.00 | This covers a variety of tree size removals; the contract does not require the tree species to be specified, only the size of the tree removals. |
Other Contractors Engaged Outside of the OS Maintenance Contract | Unknown | 120,336.00 | This information cannot be provided as the number of trees felled are across multiple jobs/departments and projects; example - gum stands felled in the Tokorangi Forest. | |
July 2020-June 2021 | Open Spaces Maintenance Contract Tree Removals | 464 | 435,804.00 | |
Other Contractors Engaged Outside of the OS Maintenance Contract | Unknown | 194,826.75 | This information cannot be provided as the number of trees felled are across multiple jobs/departments and projects; from Purchase Order descriptions the trees were a mix of Pine and Gum Trees. Note: some jobs included traffic management in the contractor's overall costs. | |
July 2019-June 2020 | Open Spaces Maintenance Contract Tree Removals | 332 | 378,346.00 | |
Other Contractors Engaged Outside of the OS Maintenance Contract | Unknown | 6,525.10 | ||
**July 2018-June 2019 ** | Open Spaces Maintenance Contract Tree Work | Unknown | 636,582.00 | The previous contracts did not break out tree removals so the number of trees removed is not known. The cost includes all maintenance work done on trees including pruning, planting, removal etc. |
Other Contractors Engaged Outside of the OS Maintenance Contract | Unknown | 63,091.00 | ||
**July 2017-June 2018** | Open Spaces Maintenance Contract Tree Work | Unknown | 830,071.00 | The previous contracts did not break out tree removals so the number of trees removed is not known. The cost includes all maintenance work done on trees including pruning, planting, removal etc. |
Other Contractors Engaged Outside of the OS Maintenance Contract | Unknown | 169,254.90 | Multiple stands of trees were removed across different locations/departments ie: Blomfield Gully, Steeles Lane and Landfill site work. |
The total cost of removing the trees, broken down yearly
Financial Years | Total Spend | |
July 2021-June 2022 | 370,170.00 | |
July 2020-June 2021 | 630,630.75 | |
July 2019-June 2020 | 384,871.10 | |
**July 2018-June 2019 ** | 699,673.00 | Not specifically removal - includes all costs related to trees like planting/pruning/removal |
**July 2017-June 2018** | 999,325.90 | Not specifically removal - includes all costs related to trees like planting/pruning/removal |
Number of trees that were native, including what species and reason for removal
- Under the Open Spaces Maintenance Contract (street and reserve trees) trees removed are categorised by their size as opposed to their species. The size is what determines the cost. Species of trees are not recorded.
- For tree removal by contractors outside the Open Spaces Maintenance Contract the species of trees are not recorded.
What are the reasons a tree may be removed by council or someone employed by council
- Public safety concerns and safety reasons, such as a structural defect or traffic sight line issue.
- Significant threat to public infrastructure such as pipes, driveways/footpaths, electricity and telecommunication services.
- Tree health concerns such as disease, decline or death.
- Species, size or shape being unsuitable for the area/environment they are growing in.
How often are trees inspected by council or someone employed by council
- Trees are routinely inspected based on their size and risk. For example a large tree in the CBD will be inspected annually and more frequently than a smaller tree in a rural reserve.
- Trees classified as Notable Trees under the District Plan are inspected annually.
- Most residential trees will get inspected on a 3 – 5 yearly cycle when they are programmed for maintenance pruning. At that time trees that are considered a higher risk would be put on a more frequent inspection regime.
- Trees are also inspected after significant storm events to assess damage and if any maintenance pruning or removal is required.
- Trees are inspected when Council receives information or concerns identified by members of the public.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. The Ombudsman’s Office can be contacted by calling 0800 802 602, emailing info@ombudsman.parliament.nz, online at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz, or by post to The Ombudsman, PO Box 10152, Wellington 6143.
Publication of responses to LGOIMA requests
Please note: Our LGOIMA responses may be published on the Rotorua Lakes Council website after they have been responded to, with requesters’ personal details withheld. If you have any concerns about this please contact the Council on info@rotorualc.nz.
Regards
Craig TirianaManahautū Te Tira Hautū| Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Executive’s Group |
