Tree rule change to hit ratepayers

More than 1370 trees have been earmarked for protection under the changed law. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Government changes to tree-chopping rules will lump Auckland ratepayers with more than $100,000 for vetting candidates for protection.

Blanket protection for notable trees on private land in urban areas will be wiped from January 1 next year.

Environment Minister Nick Smith has said scrapping general protections will cut costs by saving property owners and councils from needing permits to trim, prune or fell trees.

However, most of the region's former councils and community boards took up the chance to protect trees that are individually scheduled - singly or as a group - in the District Plan.

As a result, 1376 trees are suggested for addition to the 3690 trees scheduled.

More are expected before the deadline for nominations from local boards and citizens on March 31.

Each nomination has to be assessed by a council staff arborist or outside consultant to make the proposed schedule.

The public gets another say in the proposed schedule when it is publicly advertised as a proposed change to the District Plan.

Objections are taken in a council planning report to council-hired independent commissioners.

Changes to the Resource Management Act allow the council to apply to the Environment Court to have the revised schedule take legal effect on January 1.

About $80,000 will be spent on outside consultants to help staff arborists cope with the present nominations.

Further expense is expected because a plan change usually costs between $30,000 and $100,000 to process.

"It is an expensive exercise and it's a pity we can't send Wellington the invoice," said Cameron Brewer, who is chairman of the council's planning and urban design forum.

"I've had concerns about the costs since day one but in the end, having local boards involved is the right thing to do.

"Communities know their neighbourhood trees and overall they have taken up the opportunity for input with vigour."

Mr Brewer said there were strict criteria for assessment of the trees and he was keen to ensure landowners' rights were respected. The council was seeking landowners' permission for assessors to enter properties.

"If trees are deemed to be notable, landowners will be notified and they can always appeal the proposed scheduling."