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Queen Street upgrade

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Trees

Stage 1

• In January 2006, as a result of public concern regarding the planting plan the Mayor agreed to the appointment of an independent panel of experts to review the audit. This expert panel was comprised of John Wakeling, Gerald Collett, Stacy Colyer and Graeme Platt.
• The council's adopted recommendations were assisted by a report from this independent review panel of tree experts, which largely agreed with the original tree assessment for stage 1.
• A concern for stage 1 was the replacement of the 20 exotic trees planned for removal with 20 cabbage trees. The architects, with advice from their consultant arborist and the city arborist advised the council that a number of other varieties of both exotic and native trees could also be considered.
• At a special meeting on 17 January 2006, the council resolved that in stage 1 of the upgrade (Wellesley Street to Mayoral Drive), 19 trees be retained and 17 trees be removed.
• Initially the plan for stage 1 (published in January) had been to retain 19 trees and remove 17 trees in poor or average condition or that obstructed new canopies or pedestrian access, and replace them with a mix of native and exotic trees.
• After analysing the review panel's report, council officers recommended three additional trees be retained in stage 1 - two plane trees outside Borders bookshop and the poplar near the Methodist Mission opposite the Town Hall.
• Following this resolution, the scope of stage 1 has changed and no longer includes the corner of Mayoral Drive and Queen Street. This corner is now being undertaken as part of stage 4.The result is that the number of trees being removed and replanted in stage 1 is less than was first published.

Stages 2 and 3

In terms of stages 2 and 3 (Wellesley Street to Customs Street), the council resolved:

• That the upgrade be reviewed:
  • under the principles used for the review of stage 1:
    • that trees be removed where they are in poor to average health, or likely to block pedestrian access or be affected by canopies where other design solutions are impracticable
    • that this be determined by Architectus with advice from the consultant arborist ArborSolutions and a peer review by the stage 1 panel of experts
    • that a revised plan include where planting pits in the new design allow
      • no fewer exotics than currently in this area, chosen from such varieties as:
        • Liriodendron, Alder, Tilia and Pin Oak
      • new native trees to supplement the exotic trees chosen from such varieties as:
        • Upright varieties of Pohutukawa, Rata, Taraire and Nikau
      • all new trees to be from robust stock at an appropriate height (approximately 5m)
    • that the Urban Design Panel audits any revision of the tree plan giving regard to the relationship between the position, type and functions of trees to the streetscape design
    • that any revisions are to the satisfaction of the Mayor and Councillors on the CBD Streetscapes Reference Group (this group has subsequently been incorporated into the CBD Board)
    • that the current plan for Stage 4 (Mayoral Drive to K-Road) be confirmed, that is, retention of liquidambars with more of the same variety planted to create and strengthen the "avenue of trees" effect
    • that the issue of maintenance of CBD street trees, pavers and street furniture and the provision of an appropriate budget be included in the report on streetscapes being prepared for Combined Committees.

In March and May 2006 the CBD Councillor Streetscapes Reference Group approved a tree plan with all trees in raised planters and unhealthy trees removed.

In March and April 2006 the Urban Design Panel reviewed the design and considered that the boulevard concept on which the new design is based has been successfully achieved along the full length of Queen Street.

Communication and consultation

In July and August 2006, presentations of the revised design for stages 2 and 3 were given to:

• the CBD Board
• the Hobson Community Board
• a number of retailers and property owners who have shown an ongoing interest in the project. They have received targeted consultation on the revised design of stages 2 and 3, the shared parking plan and mitigation of construction disruption
• Property Council - Auckland branch
• Heart of the City.

In addition to the above presentations, the following groups expressed their support for the revised design and avenue of trees approach for resource consent:

• Heart of the City Business Association
• the Executive of the Auckland Branch of the Property Council
• Mrs Lesley Max of Save the Trees Group
• CBD Residents Advisory Group
• the Tree Council.

• After extensive consultation the most appropriate exotic species was determined to be liquidambar. Liquidambar currently grow in Queen Street from Wakefield Street to the motorway over bridge of Upper Queen Street, and will continue the avenue effect.
• Liquidambars grow very well in Queen Street and are not prone to any major pests or diseases in Auckland. They are robust and easy to prune, with an appropriate crown form, outstanding autumnal colour and a strong winter silhouette.
• The liquidambars will be supplemented with Nikau palms to provide winter form and colour.
• The liquidambars will be planted at approximately five metres high. To retain the street's green character throughout construction a phased approach to their removal will be taken.
• The current plan for stage 4 seeks to retain the existing healthy liquidambars and plant more of the same variety to strengthen the "avenue of trees" effect.

Positive outcomes from removing raised planters and putting in tree pits:

• Increased footpath area for pedestrian access, amenities (seating, furniture, utilities)
• Enhanced pedestrian views across and along the street due to less visual clutter
• Tree grates will be flush with the paving and reduce rubbish (that was thrown into the raised planters), so providing a clean appearance and healthy environment for the trees
• Healthy growing conditions for trees to flourish through specially developed soil mix and large underground tree pits (up to 10 cubic metres) which provide sufficient soil volume and improved irrigation
• Many of the existing raised planters are located in places where kerb lines are changing and footpath areas are increasing. Their current locations are not compatible with these pedestrian improvements.