Trust goes into battle for trees
Volunteers working to safeguard Cambridge’s notable and historic trees want a say on a landscape plan for the proposed Lakewood development.
The multi-million residential and retail development is set to straddle 3ha of land off Queen St and overlook Lake Te Ko Utu.
Cambridge Tree Trust is worried the development will result in the Waipa District Council removing significant trees from the town.
But the council says there’s confusion about the coming changes to the town centre and plans a public open day to explain all.
The trust was worried nine trees would be removed at the planned Lakewood roundabout, a protected gingko tree and other trees around the banks of Te Koutu Park would be taken out to improve views from Lakewood.
Trust chairman Don Willoughby said he and other volunteers had met with the council’s parks team leader Max Ward at the Lakewood site where they were to look over a proposed landscape plan for the development.
Willoughby said the trust would make a comment on the landscape plan so it could be filtered back to council.
Waipa council said there were some plane trees, around 15 years old, that had to be removed to make way for the Norfolk Drive extension in Cambridge.
It confirmed 12 trees/shrubs would need to be removed to put in the new Lakewood roundabout but none were thought to be protected.
The council said no trees on public land around the lake will be felled to provide lake views.
The council planned an open day for people to find out more on plans for Cambridge’s town centre. It would include NZ Transport Agency staff, responsible for the roundabout build, along with those behind the planned Lakewood development.
Group manager service deliv- ery Barry Bergin said the open day would outline the long-term vision around creating an entrance to Cambridge and connecting Lake Te Ko Utu and Lakewood Development to the central business district.
The open day will be held at the Pink Church, 2pm to 6pm, July 21.