Reserve trees valued - petition

The community has spoken out on the fight to save New Lynn’s last green belt.

Two petitions against pohutukawa trees in a reserve on Margan Ave being lost to the West Edge Special Housing Area development were tabled at the Whau Local Board meeting on Wednesday last week. An online petition, started by the Tree Council board member Suzanne Caron, attracted 915 signatures in just over three weeks. Caron says there is often little value placed on the retention of urban trees by Auckland Council when approving plans for housing development.

‘‘The people who have signed this petition are saying many things but the first and foremost is that trees should act as a constraint to development and not as an obstacle.’’

People left comments on the petition wth their views. Fifty-nine retirees living in Glenburn Retirement Home also lodged their own petition against the trees getting the chop. Glenburn resident’s committee secretary and treasurer Kareen MacDonald presented it to the Whau Board. The 80-year-old says the pohutukawa trees are a pleasure for the those living on the top floor of the retirement home.

‘‘At times it's already impossible getting in and out of our driveway’’

Kareen MacDonald

‘‘The older generation is very much overlooked when it comes to making a lot of decisions,’’ she says.

The Whau Local Board has told them a walkway and two roads are planned across the reserve. MacDonald says there is also some concern around the added volume of traffic.

‘‘At times it’s already impossible getting in and out of our driveway.’’

The Whau Local Board accepted both of the petitions. Whau ward councillor Ross Clow says Auckland Council is ‘‘doing what it can on the Margan Ave situation’’.

‘‘There is movement and compromising occurring. It is important to consider there will also be a park in the middle of the development,’’ Clow says.

West Edge project manager Winson Tan says things are sill being finalised for the housing project and nothing has been officially approved.

‘‘We have received some feedback from the local community and are working with them as part of this process.’’