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Planning

Last Modified: 16 July 2008

Public Notices

Tree Protection

You may be aware that there are areas of Upper Hutt that contain protected trees. These areas are identified in the Upper Hutt District Plan by the Residential Conservation Zone, the Residential Hill Zone and the Schedule of Notable trees.

If you are considering undertaking work to trees on your property, please contact the Council first in order to check if the trees are protected and whether you are required to apply for a Resource Consent.
The following District Plan rule applies to trees with the Residential Conservation and Residential Hill sub-zones:

18.23 Work on trees in the Residential Conservation and Residential Hill Sub-zones.

Any indigenous or exotic tree with a trunk diameter that exceeds 0.2m, measured at a height of 1.5m from ground level, shall not be trimmed, topped or removed except in the following circumstances:

Trimming in accordance with accepted arboricultural practice which will not alter the form of the tree and will not detrimentally affect its health.
Removal of part or the entire tree is required because it is dead or has an incurable disease causing a significant decline in its health (Council must be advised in writing of the reasons for the work, no later than 7 days before work starts).
Work is immediately necessary to avoid injury to persons, damage to property or to maintain or restore essential services.
Where necessary work is untertaken by, or on behalf of Council, to a tree located within road reserve, except where the tree is identified in the Schedule of Notable Trees in 27.8 of the Plan.
The tree is listed as a pest plant under the Biosecurity Act 1993 or is subject to an order made under the Property Law Act 1952.

Review of District Plan Tree Protection Provisions

Following on from the adoption of the Urban Growth Strategy the Council will be undertaking a review of the current tree protection provided by the District Plan, with the background work commencing this financial year.

This review is in response to feedback from the community that more trees throughout the City could be protected. Any changes to the District Plan will be subject to the public consultation process.

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