Growing Tauranga Green Vegetation Management Strategy for Tauranga City
December 2006 Contents Introduction 3 Vision 6 Principles 7 What we have done 9 Fit with other key documents 10 Key issues 13 A. Streets as Green Corridors • Where we want to be 15 • Where we are now 16 • What we will do (Action Table) 18 B. Parks and Reserves – our green oasis • Where we want to be 26 • Where we are now 26 • What we will do (Action Table) 29 C. Open Coastal – wild and natural
• Where we want to be 35 CONTENTS • Where we are now 35 • What we will do (Action Table) 37
D. Estuarine, Riparian and Gully – green corridors • Where we want to be 40 • Where we are now 40 • What we will do (Action Table) 42 Contents E. CBD and Neighbourhood Centres – attractive spaces with green places • Where we want to be 46 • Where we are now 46 • What we will do (Action Table) 47 F. Private Land and Community Involvement – creating a valued environment • Where we want to be 49 • Where we are now 50 • What we will do (Action Table) 51 G. Good Vegetation Management • Where we want to be 57 • What we will do (Action Table) 58 Glossary of Terms 59 Appendices • Appendix A : Tauranga District Plan – Road Hierarchy Map 61 • Appendix B : Actual and Potential Restoration Sites in Tauranga City 62 • Appendix C : Opportunities for Ecological Restoration 63 • Appendix D : Identified reserves with specific planting themes 64 • Appendix E : Identified streets and existing tree species 65 Bibliography 66 Introduction
The Vegetation Management Strategy – ‘Growing distinctive aspects of Tauranga relative to other places. Tauranga Green’ is necessary for Council to establish why, This vegetative landscape is a valuable asset requiring what, when and where attention will be given to integrated active management to ensure effective enhancement of vegetation management and to set priorities for vegetation the amenity, ecological and environmental values of the management in the city. city.
There has not previously been a co-ordinated overall Plants make an important contribution to the health and Council vision for vegetation protection, maintenance wellbeing of Tauranga’s residents and to the quality of the and enhancement and little recorded direction for future city’s landscape by providing: planting programmes. • Oxygen – virtually all that we breathe in the natural The need for Growing Tauranga Green was identified in atmosphere comes from the growth of plants both Tauranga Tomorrow, the Vegetation Management Lead Policy and the Treescape Management Policy. In • Improved air quality through filtering of carbon addition other Council strategies from a wider regional dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen oxide, perspective acknowledge vegetation issues and concerns. methane, hydrogen fluoride, fluorocarbons and other particulates such as dust Vegetation is an important contribution to the look and feel of the city’s character and identity and the wellbeing • Improved water quality by reducing topsoil erosion, of its residents. The planted city landscape encompasses acting as natural pollution filters a mosaic of public and private plant specimens and the
combined network of planting collections, that reflects INTRODUCTION
Introduction
• Energy savings for households and businesses by • A softening effect to harsh outlines of buildings and creating natural shade in summer, species that admit complementing building development sunshine in winter, moderating city environments by lowering local air temperatures and reducing heat • Screening unsightly and unwanted views island effects • Homes and migratory corridors for wildlife • Extended life of paved surfaces by keeping the surface temperatures cooler and helping to absorb • Attractive colours, flowers, beautiful shapes, forms excess soil water and textures
• Increased traffic safety through traffic calming and • Privacy and a sense of solitude speed control, buffer zones between pedestrians and moving vehicles, forewarning of different • Reduced noise pollution surroundings and identifying upcoming features Tauranga is lucky to have one of the best growing • Improved economic sustainability by enhancing environments in New Zealand and could really stand out shopping centres, providing friendlier work as a city to be identified by its unique and thriving urban environments forest and garden framework.
• Added value to property Increases in urban intensification and industrial and commercial development place pressures on the natural • Shade and shelter from wind and rain environment. This needs to be addressed comprehensively as a challenge and as a shared development.
What is the Vegetation Management Strategy? The Strategy will accomplish this through a
• The Vegetation Management Strategy is an variety of tools including – environmental plan and approach that will guide how • Council Policy (e.g. Vegetation Management Lead Policy, Tauranga City Council will lead by example and assist the Treescape Management Policy) community in achieving good vegetation outcomes in the • Other Council strategies (e.g. Open Space Strategy, city. Urban Design Strategy) • Funding (LTCCP, EEF, partnerships, other) Growing Tauranga Green focuses on – • Planning (species selection, operational specifications) • Community education and involvement • Planting, protection and maintenance of trees and • Code of Practice for Development gardens on public land • Management of noxious weeds and invasive plants The geography and ecology of different areas supports • Rehabilitation, restoration and regeneration of native different vegetation. For the purpose of providing bush areas a framework for these distinctive environmental • Vegetation in relation to care and sustainability of coastal characteristics, this strategy is organised around the edges and harbour margins following geographical areas – • Protection and maintenance of registered trees • Improving the biodiversity of plants that are endemic A. Streets and indigenous to New Zealand and in particular to B. Parks and Reserves
the Tauranga area, with support for eco-sourcing plant C. Estuarine, Riparian and Gullies INTRODUCTION material where practicable D. Open Coastal • Providing a wide range of trees and plants for the E. CBD and Neighbourhood Centres enjoyment and wellbeing of people F. Non-Council owned (private) land • Provide a range of experiences that reflect the sense of G. General Vegetation Management place for the different areas of Tauranga City
The Vision
Tauranga is a city that has pride in and appreciates nature within public and private vegetation of trees, planted areas, native plant communities and gardens. Streets are attractive and town centres are inviting, to complement the network of parks and reserves ranging from wild to manicured.
The Principles
The following principles underly this strategy. Through Growing Tauranga Green we will:
• Create and enhance experiences for people to enjoy nature
• Reflect heritage including Maori, non Maori and natural
• Reinforce identity, landscape quality and enhance visual amenity
• Create and protect sustainable ecosystems, including treating vegetation as a resource and for protection of fauna and flora
• Foster and facilitate community support for retention and enhancement of city vegetation as further urban development continues and encourage good tree management on privately owned land
• Establish and support partnerships and collaborations to deliver the vision
• Create and manage existing and new vegetation as long-term assets
for Tauranga with commitment to sustainability PRINCIPLES
Measuring Success Successful implementation of this strategy will be measured for the different city environments through the tracking of measures such as:
• Monitoring feedback to the Council from the overall community as well as specific interest groups • Satisfaction surveys • The quantity and consistency of established vegetation • State of Environment reporting
August 05 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected and Estuarine, Riparian and Gully What We Have Done Members. Issues and options papers sections of the Strategy. were presented for discussions on registered trees and the City Entrances May 06 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected March 05 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected and State Highway Beautification Members. Issues and options papers Members. Council approved scope, project. were presented for discussion on purpose and emerging principles. registered trees, debris assistance, A facilitated discussion was held to September 05 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected reserve garden renewals, minimum discuss strengths, weaknesses, Members. Issues and options papers requirements for landscaping, estuarine opportunities and threats of vegetation were presented for discussion on riparian and gully systems by in the geographical areas. roadside weed clearance, tree planting subdivision developers and establishing Workshop held with Tauranga Moana in the coastal reserve, and planned a Community Gardens Supporting Policy Tangata Whenua Collective. removal of silver birches, olives and other allergen causing trees. July 06 Draft adopted by the Policy & Strategy April 05 Workshops held (4) with identified key Committee stakeholders. October 05 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected Members. Issues and options papers August – Community engagement for submissions May – June 05 General community engagement were presented for discussion on the October 06 on the Strategy, with staff report for through Council’s web site and Our City costs of maintenance and Resource recommended refinements to the Draft Views. Consent Applications for registered trees and for the provision of new street November 06 Hearing, deliberation and decisions by July 05 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected gardens on arterial and collector routes, Elected Members on finalising the Members. Discussions were held on and plant pest control on roadside Strategy. draft Vision Statement along with an verges.
issues and options paper covering street December 06 Final adoption of Strategy by Tauranga City DONE WE HAVE WHAT trees and street gardens. March 06 Policy and Strategy Forum with Elected Council Members to discuss the draft Streets
Fit with other key documents
National and Regional Strategies
Community Outcomes of Tauranga Tomorrow
SmartGrowth and other Strategies
Urban Design Strategy Open Space Strategy Bay of Plenty Pest Management Strategy
Community Priorities Ten Year Plan Council Response (LTCCP)
Activity Plan
10 What do other guiding strategies say? A number of guiding strategies have influenced the development of Growing Tauranga Green.
New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy
Goal One: Community and individual action, responsibility maintain and restore viable populations of all indigenous and benefits species and subspecies across their natural range and maintain their genetic diversity. Enhance community and individual understanding about biodiversity and inform, motivate and support widespread Goal Four: Genetic resources of introduced species and coordinated community action to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity; and Maintain the genetic resources of introduced species that Principles are important for economic, biological and cultural reasons • Significant indigenous habitats and ecosystems are Enable communities and individuals to equitably share by conserving their genetic diversity. maintained and enhanced responsibility for and benefits from conserving and • Significant indigenous habitats and ecosystems are sustainably using New Zealand’s biodiversity, including the restored benefits from the use of indigenous genetic resources. Smart Growth • Environmental improvements are provided through community groups being coorporated with and Goal Two: Treaty of Waitangi supported by key agencies Vision: Maintained and improved natural and cultural Actively protect iwi and hapu interests in biodiversity, and environment Actions build and strengthen partnerships between government • Protect the natural heritage values of public agencies and iwi and hapu in conserving and sustainably Natural and Cultural Environment implementation method conservation land (lead)
using indigenous biodiversity. • Take into account the areas of significant indigenous BACKGROUND Issues habitat and ecosystems in developing Structure Plans Goal Three: Halt the decline in New Zealand’s indigenous • The scarcity of indigenous ecosystems particularly in (lead) biodiversity. the coastal plain and harbour edge and the importance of • Protect and restore remaining areas of natural protecting remnants and restoring degrading areas environment within urban areas (lead) Maintain and restore a full range of remaining natural • The importance of preserving the natural character of • Raise awareness and understanding of the habitats and ecosystems to a healthy functioning state, Tauranga Harbour importance of ecosystems through education and enhance critically scarce habitats, and sustain the • The particular importance of protecting significant advocacy (support) more modified ecosystems in production and urban cultural heritage sites, area and resources of Tangata environments; and do what else is necessary to Whenua 11 Tauranga Tomorrow
A city easy to move around
Planting, protection and maintenance that • Contributes to the amenity of our streetscapes creating residential streets that are mainly for people.
Vibrant, healthy and diverse communities
Planting, protection and maintenance that • contributes to peoples understanding of the heritage of the city and the attractiveness of the city.
Built to fit our harbour, hills and coast
Planting, protection and maintenance that • contributes to the creation of a city nestled in the landscape • contributes to the establishment of ‘green corridors’ to connect and define neighbourhoods. • reinforces local ‘sense of place’ through the creation of local streetscape • enhances open space • reinforces heritage links
Clean, green valued environment
Planting, protection and maintenance that • reflects our sense of place, mauri and identity • contributes to natural ecological processes and the creation of indigenous habitats
12 What the community has told us
Some of the key issues raised in stakeholder meetings create heat islands with their own micro climates. Parks and Reserves and general consultation have been outlined under the Industrial areas are not people friendly different geographical areas below. • Council’s reserve tree planting has historically been programmed on a year by year basis with little proper Streets forward planning. As a consequence the trees in many parks do not mature with the neighbourhoods • Gardens look neglected, old and tired and lack biodiversity. Council has in the past had very • There is no programmed maintenance and budget limited funding to replace plants when they die or are allocation for long term weed management past their used by date. This has lead to many for older revegetation sites. This has lead to many street gardens throughout the city looking neglected sites deteriorating and becoming infested with and a lack of biodiversity throughout invasive climbers and weed control being more expensive • In the past trees have been planted in inappropriate places and inappropriate species of trees and plants • Lack of proactive tree management for our heritage have been planted, increasing the risk of conflict with trees in Parks such as McLaren Falls Arboretum, residents and infrastructure services Yatton Park and Wharepai Domain. This may lead to some trees becoming hazardous or not reaching • There are a number of roadside banks that contain their full potential undesirable weeds which look untidy and do not convey a good image of Tauranga • Some residents who live beside parks have issues with trees within the park boundaries dropping • Space for trees within the road corridor is continually leaves, seeds or branches and causing some shade,
under pressure by an increase in the amount of or obstructing a view. These issues have lead to BACKGROUND overhead and underground services, smaller berms tree vandalism including poisoning, illegal removal in new subdivisions and overhead services in older and inappropriate pruning subdivisions • There is some inappropriate planting next to some • Industrial areas currently lack tree plantings and as a walkways creating safety issues for walkway users consequence have a lot of hard surfaces and unmitigated pollution. Concrete, asphalt and buildings
13 Estuarine, Riparian and Gullies Private land
• A lack of proactive vegetation management and • As intensification occurs there is less space for trees education has caused an increase in the amount of and vegetation on private land noxious weeds and pollution that are present in estuarine, riparian and gully systems. This, in turn, • Some areas of private land have major weed affects the quality and quantity of wildlife habitats infestation that may act as a seed bank providing a risk for adjacent public land that has undergone • We are not managing estuarine, riparian and weed control Implementation gully areas to take full advantage of habitat values for ecosystem restoration • The exisiting District Plan tree register needs updating and particular issues individuals have with trees on Across Tauranga we want to ensure we have well their private land need to be addressed managed appropriate vegetation. Good growing conditions provide us with a real opportunity to make Open Coastal • There are no clear requirements for vegetative Tauranga grow green. Implementation therefore will be landscaping of industrial or commercial site addressed across the seven goal areas outlined in this • Informal pedestrian and vehicle tracks leads development. This has lead to areas of the city with Strategy as follows: to bare dunes that encourage the spread low visual amenity of undesirable plants. Noxious weeds and A. Streets undesirable plants are a threat to the B. Parks and Reserves natural ecological process of the dune C. Estuarine, Riparian and Gullies system due to their aggressive invasiveness CBDs and Neighbourhood Centres D. Open Coastal E. CBD and Neighbourhood Centres • Clearance of native plant life causes a loss of habitat • Some existing and some emerging neighbourhood F. Non-Council owned (private) land for native wildlife and may lead to dune erosion and centres have little or no amenity planting. Good G. General Vegetation Management instability amenity planting creates neighbourhood identity, sense of place and pride and encourages people to The actions for these areas with known costs will be • Garden waste dumping and private lawns and gardens stop and spend time shopping and relaxing undertaken consistent with the Vegetation Strategy that are planted within the dune system remove the Implementation Plan, and in adherence to the current and native vegetation that would otherwise naturally occur • Some areas within the Tauranga Central Business future Tauranga City Long Term Council Community Plan there District have little to no vegetation and the CBD is (It is noted that at the date of this Strategy the Wairakei a high profile part of the city to express identity within Stream Landscape Development has been identified to • Conflict between trees and views exists along the planting. commence 2016/2017 and is therefore not currently within coastal strip the LTCCP).
14 A. Streets as Green Corridors
Where We Want To Be The Vision:
Streets are vibrant, pleasant and comfortable with trees and gardens reflecting Tauranga’s character and diverse cultures, while creating ecological linkages throughout the City.
How we will measure success
The success of this will be measured by –
• Increase in peoples’ satisfaction with street amenity • Increase in visual amenity where private properties and public area boundaries meet • Reduction in the number of complaints about roadside weeds • Increase in the number of street trees planted on arterial and collector routes • Increase in the number of street trees in industrial areas • Increase in the number of requests to plant trees STREETS AS GREEN CORRIDORS
15 16
Percentage 10 12 14 16 0 2 4 6 8
Fig.1: Illustrationofmajorspeciesdistribution representedinTauranga streets Silk Tree
Titoki older areas ofTauranga. street treenumbers betweenthenewsubdivisions andthe Practice forDevelopment. Thishasleadtoinconsistency in subdivisions astheyaredeveloped undertheCodeof Most proactiveplantinginTauranga isdoneinthenew conservatively estimatedat$40.5million. exotic and34%arenative.Thevalueofthesetreesis asset register. Ofthe146speciesrepresented66%are Council currentlyhas15,583streettreesrecordedonits Street Trees Where arewenow?
Silver Birch
Karaka
Evergreen Magnolia Tree Species
Indian Bead Tree
Pohutukawa
Olive
Cherry
Oak
Kowhai
Washingtonia (palm) tree isprunedbecauseitblocks viewsorcausesshade. being undertaken.Additionally residentsmayrequestthata months forregularmaintenance withanyremedialpruning Maintenance Contractandare checkedonceeverysix Street treesaremaintainedundertheTree underground andoverheadservices. an issueastreescontinuallycompeteforbermspacewith The availabilityoftreeplantingspacewithinthebermis kerbs). inappropriately sited(e.g.tooclosetoexistingfootpathsor the speciesplantedareinappropriateaslong-termtreesor resident plantingornewsubdivisions.Inanumberofcases Council hasinthepastinheritedstreettreesthrougheither removed becauseofotherreasons. June 2005andFebruary6afurther49streettreeswere does notsupportremovalforanisolatedreason.Between into accountarangeoffactorstodeterminetreevalueand out intheTreescape ManagementPolicy. Thispolicytakes because oftreehealthorotherassociatedproblemsset Council removesanaverageof350streettreeseachyear residents resultinginnewtreesbeingplanted. for treesthatareremovedwithonlyafewrequestsfrom with themajorityoftreesplantedbeingreplacements Council currentlyhasnoproactiveplantingplansinplace Street Gardens
There are currently 2008 street gardens totalling 83,253m2 The location of street gardens has also been previously at recorded on Council’s asset register. The average sized the developer’s discretion which has lead to many gardens garden is 41.5m2. Gardens range from annual beds to long having a limited viewing audience (e.g. cul-de-sac heads) in term planting. The number of plants and species throughout relation to the effort and expense of maintaining them. the city is unknown therefore it is not possible to determine the extent of native plant biodiversity in street gardens. Roadside Weeds There is no requirement for the provision of street gardens within the city. Council does not currently create new street In November 2003 Council commissioned a report entitled gardens. Developers have the option whether or not to create “Tauranga District Council Strategy for Plant Pest Control new street gardens in new developments. Many developers Within the Public Road Corridor”. have used street gardens to provide visual amenity to assist with sales. This has lead to a city wide inconsistency with The objective of the report was to “provide an overall policy older areas having little or no street gardens while the new for the management of plant pests in the road corridor areas are well provided for. of local roads, and to provide an effective management framework for the long-term control of plant pests within the Street gardens in new areas are also of a higher quality than road corridor”. The report identifies plant pests that are of those in older areas (excluding annual beds) as Council has serious ecological concern, potential ecological concern and had limited renewal funding available. Well maintained, high minor ecological concern and provides a prioritised list of quality gardens add to the visual amenity and character of sites where plant pest control is required. areas. Council does not have a forward programme to control Where developers provide new street gardens the Code of plant pests as there has been limited funding available for 2 Practice for Development specifies a minimum size of1 m but proactive weed control and replanting and what has been STREETS AS GREEN CORRIDORS 2 has no maximum size. The minimum size of 1m has lead to achieved has been largely through public request. Council inheriting many small gardens (e.g. splitter islands). The cost of maintaining a small garden per m2 can be higher than that of a large garden.
17 What We Will Do
What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A1. Improve visual amenity on major Tauranga city road network, promote City Council Develop Arterial and biodiversity, improve linkages Transportation NZ Biodiversity Strategy Collector Routes Tree for wildlife, reinforce local Group Urban Design Strategy Planting Plan for those neighbourhoods, and to create Existing staff budgets Short Term Integrated Transport routes identified in people friendly streets, and to Tauranga City Strategy Appendix ‘A’. create a comprehensive and well Council Parks and Neighbourhood Plans structured urban environment Leisure Division creating greater legibility. A2. Improve visual amenity on major city road network, promote biodiversity, improve linkages Tauranga NZ Biodiversity Strategy Implementation of Arterial for wildlife, reinforce local Tauranga City City Council Urban Design Strategy and Collector Routes Tree neighbourhoods, and to create Council Parks and Transportation $ 30,000 per annum Short Term and ongoing Integrated Transport Planting Plan. people friendly streets, and to Leisure Division Group Strategy create a comprehensive and well Neighbourhood Plans structured urban environment creating greater legibility.
A3. Reduce the heat island effect created by hard surfaces, promote biodiversity and create NZ Biodiversity Tauranga people friendly streets, reduce Tauranga City Urban Design Strategy Develop Industrial Area City Council the adverse visual impacts of Council Parks and Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Open Space Strategy Planting Plan. Transportation industrial developments on the Leisure Division Integrated Transport Group surrounding environment. Strategy
Incorporate CPTED principles.
A4. Reduce the heat island effect created by hard surfaces, promote biodiversity and create NZ Biodiversity Strategy Tauranga City Tauranga Urban Design Strategy Implement Industrial Area people friendly streets, reduce Council Parks and City Council $ 10,000 per annum Medium Term and Open Space Strategy Tree Planting Plan. the adverse visual impacts of industrial developments on the Leisure Division Transportation ongoing Integrated Transport surrounding environment. Group Strategy Neighbourhood Plans Incorporate CPTED principles.
18 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A5. Reinforce local neighbourhoods Tauranga and create people friendly Develop comprehensive City Council Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy streets, promote biodiversity and tree planting plans through Transportation Council City Urban Design Strategy encourage birdlife back into the Define through Neighbourhood Plan Group Directions Group Open Space Strategy city, give recognition to the need Neighbourhood Short term and ongoing processes, Smart Living Integrated Transport to provide vegetation in public Planning process Places. Urban Design Tauranga City Local Strategy space where private space is Plans and other planning. Council Parks and Neighbourhoods Neighbourhood Plans not available for planting or is Leisure Division diminishing.
A6. Reinforce local neighbourhood Tauranga NZ Biodiversity Strategy identity and create people friendly City Council Urban Design Strategy Implementation of streets, promote biodiversity and Transportation Tauranga City Define through Open Space Strategy Neighbourhood Plan tree encourage birdlife back into the Group Medium Term and Neighbourhood planting in local residential city, give recognition to the need Council Parks and ongoing Integrated Transport Leisure Division Planning process Strategy and rural roads. to provide vegetation in public Tauranga City Neighbourhood Plans space where private space is Council City Levels of Service Papers not available for planting or is Directions Group diminishing.
A7. Identify and prioritise the future of trees currently receiving a high level of Urban Design Strategy Tauranga City ongoing maintenance To ensure that the right tree is Open Space Strategy Council Parks and Existing staff budgets that is detrimental to their planted in the right place Short Term Integrated Transport Leisure Division health as a result of them Strategy being in the tolerance Neighbourhood Plans zones of overhead services.
A8. Urban Design Strategy Implementation of Tauranga City Open Space Strategy To ensure that the right tree is Existing Operational Medium Term and replacement planting plan Council Parks and Integrated Transport planted in the right place budget ongoing for trees identified in A7. Leisure Division Strategy Neighbourhood Plans
19 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A9. Develop plan to install root barrier alongside To reduce the future requirement trees worthy of retention Tauranga City Tauranga Urban Design Strategy for footpath and kerb repairs and that have been identified Council Parks and City Council Existing staff budget Short Term to prevent accidents caused by as likely to interfere with Leisure Division Transportation Integrated Transport uneven or broken footpaths. footpaths or roadside Group Strategy kerbs within the next 10 years.
A10. Tauranga Existing Berm Implementation of plan to To reduce the future requirement Tauranga City for footpath and kerb repairs and City Council Maintenance Budget install root barrier for trees Council Parks and Transportation Short Term Urban Design Strategy identified in A9 to prevent accidents caused by Leisure Division uneven or broken footpaths Group $ 5,000 per annum
A11. Develop Replacement Tree Ensure a consistency of species Planting Plan for existing selection is kept as trees are NZ Biodiversity Strategy public trees on streets removed on a case by case Urban Design Strategy and roads consistent with basis. To replace species with Tauranga City Existing staff budget Treescape Management proven structural problems, high Council Parks and Short Term and ongoing Open Space Strategy Policy. (A representative maintenance levels required to Leisure Division Neighbourhood Plans list of specific streets and maintain aesthetics, proven wider existing tree species appears public health issues i.e. allergen in the Appendices) causers.
20 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A 12 . Develop Successional Tree Planting Plan consistent Ensure a consistency of species selection is kept as trees are with Treescape Management Urban Design Strategy Policy for the following: removed on a case by case basis. Ensure that Tauranga’s large Tauranga City - The Mall Council Parks and Existing staff budget Short Term Open Space Strategy - Marine Parade significant tree plantings have long term replacement plans Leisure Division - Cameron Road Neighbourhood Plans - Brown Street recognising the character they - Seventeenth Avenue create for the city.
A 13 . Restrict representation Tauranga City of new planting of any one To increase biodiversity, prevent NZ Biodiversity Strategy an overdependence on a limited Council Parks and Species of tree to no greater Leisure Division than 5% of the total street tree range of tree species, reduce the Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Urban Design Strategy risk of widespread tree loss where asset and for any one Family to Arboricultural species become a monoculture. Neighbourhood Plans no greater than 10% of the total contractor street tree asset A 14 . Financial contributions resulting from the granting of Resource Consents for the removal of Notable and Landscape Trees listed in the District Plan shall be used to plant trees – Resource Management • As a first priority, in the road Act Tauranga City reserve of the street which To ensure that tree coverage Council Parks and serves the site from which the NZ Biodiversity Strategy and visual amenity in areas is Leisure Division tree was removed, or Tauranga maintained and enhanced and that • As a second priority, in the City Council Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Urban Design Strategy when a registered tree is removed Tauranga road reserve in streets within Transportation the tree asset is transferred to City Council the immediate vicinity of where Group Open Space Strategy public land. Environmental Bthe16 .tree was removed. As a Consents Division guide this would be within 500m Neighbourhood Plans of the site from where the tree was removed, • As a third priority, in a reserve within the immediate vicinity of where the tree was removed As a guide this would be within 500m of the site from where the tree was removed
21 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A15. Provide a healthy, safe, functional and quality garden asset and Develop and maintain a Street which reflects CPTED principles. Garden Implementation Make our streets a people friendly NZ Biodiversity Strategy Plan that includes environment. Increase biodiversity planting, maintenance and and assist with preservation of Tauranga City Horticultural Urban Design Strategy Existing staff budgets renewals of street gardens plant species. Reflect the character Council Parks and contractor Short term including annual beds and of the surrounding neighbourhood Leisure Division Open Space Strategy neighbourhood character is and wider context. Recognise recognised that private space opportunities Neighbourhood Plans for vegetation are diminishing, particularly in residential intensification areas
A16. Provide a healthy, safe, functional and quality garden asset. Make NZ Biodiversity Strategy our streets a people friendly Tauranga City Urban Design Strategy Implement Street Garden environment. Increase biodiversity Council Parks and $ 100,000 per annum Short Term and ongoing Implementation Plan. and assist with preservation Leisure Division of plant species. Reflect the Open Space Strategy character of the surrounding neighbourhood and wider context. Neighbourhood Plans
A 17 . Identify street gardens Horticultural that may be used for the Increase biodiversity and assist contractor NZ Biodiversity Strategy Tauranga City conservation of locally, with preservation of plant species. Environment Council Parks and nationally and internationally Reflect the underlying identity and Bay of Plenty Existing staff budgets Short term Urban Design Strategy Leisure Division threatened plant species and character of Tauranga. DOC include in Street Gardens Tauranga Open Space Strategy Implementation Plan. Environment Centre
A18. Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy Through Neighbourhood Plans Council Parks and and Smart Living Places Urban Enable planning and consultation Leisure Division Tauranga Urban Design Strategy Design Plan identify new garden to occur to assist with decisions City Council Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing sites situated on arterial and on the placement of future street Tauranga City Transportation Open Space Strategy collector routes in older areas gardens Council City Group of the city to reflect local Directions Group Neighbourhood Plans character.
22 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A19. To improve the condition of the $17,000 per annum existing operational Biosecurity Act 1993 Implementation of “Tauranga Rank 1, 2 and 3 sites contained NZ Biodiversity Strategy Tauranga City budget District Council Strategy for within the report and to ensure Tauranga Bay of Plenty Regional Council Parks and Plant Pest Control Within that Council’s roadside plant pest City Council Medium Term over 5 Pest Management the Public Corridor” (11/03) control activities are carried Transportation Leisure Division $25,000 per annum additional funding to years Strategy Maintenance of roadside out efficiently, equitably and Group Urban Design Strategy Environment increased the current revegetation plantings. in compliance with relevant Open Space Strategy legislation. Bay of Plenty level of service for roadside vegetation Neighbourhood Plans
A20. Vegetation Control Biosecurity Act 1993 contractor Annually review implementation Ensure that Council’s roadside NZ Biodiversity Strategy Tauranga Environment of “Tauranga District Council plant pest control activities are Bay of Plenty Regional City Council Bay of Plenty Strategy for Plant Pest Control carried out efficiently, equitably Pest Management Transportation Opus International Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Within the Public Corridor” and and in compliance with relevant Strategy Group Consultants Ltd Urban Design Strategy prioritise new sites for plant legislation. Tauranga City pest control. Open Space Strategy Council Parks and Neighbourhood Plans Leisure Division
A21. Tauranga City Council $ 110,000 Capex Improve the aesthetics of the State Short Term Transportation $ 39,000 Opex Biosecurity Act 1993 Highway network within the city Transrail Group Total over 3 years NZ Biodiversity Strategy Implementation of Beautification and entrances into Tauranga City. Transpower Medium Term and Tauranga City Bay of Plenty Regional of City Entrances and State To maintain and improve safety, City Investment ongoing Council Parks and $ 110,000 per annum Pest Management Highway Upgrade Report promote biodiversity, manage Partners Leisure Division Capex Strategy stormwater runoff, manage plant Medium Term and Transit NZ $ 221,000 Opex Neighbourhood Plans pests. ongoing Environment Total over 7 years Bay of Plenty B16. A22.
Implementation of landscape To fulfil Council’s obligations Tauranga City $ 83,000 2006 planting plan for Takitimu Drive under Resource Consent for the Council Parks and between Waihi Road and Chapel construction of Takitimu Drive. Leisure Division $ 83,000 2007 Street.
23 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A23. Tauranga Develop and maintain an City Council NZ Biodiversity Strategy indicative list of inappropriate Assist residents, care groups and Tauranga City Transportation tree, shrub, and annual and developers to select appropriate Council Parks and Group Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Urban Design Strategy perennial ground cover species trees for amenity planting within Leisure Division Tauranga City for planting in the road reserve the road reserve. Asset Development Neighbourhood Plans and incorporate into the Code of Division Practice for Development. Developers
A24. Tauranga City Council Parks and Set level of service for street To achieve greater consistency NZ Biodiversity Strategy Leisure Division Tauranga City garden positioning and size and appropriateness of long-term Asset Development based on streetscape design street gardens and to reflect the Existing staff budgets Short Term Urban Design Strategy Tauranga City Division and consistent with Code of character of the surrounding Council City Developers Practice for Development. neighbourhood and wider context Neighbourhood Plans Directions Group
A25. Tauranga City Council Parks and Review and address street Leisure Division width, berm size and the Ensure provision for street trees Tauranga City Urban Design Strategy provision of specialised tree and other corridor services is Asset Development Tauranga Existing staff budgets Short Term planting pits in the Code sufficient. Division City Council Integrated Transport of Practice for Subdivision Transportation Strategy Development Group
Developers
A26. To reduce the overhead Urban Design Strategy obstruction to trees and To be determined Work with utility suppliers the potential hazard to tree Tauranga City Utility Suppliers and through consultation to investigate a range of Short Term and ongoing Open Space Strategy maintenance workers and public. Owners with utility supplier and alternative solutions to utility Council To provide a range of alternatives owners. provision. that can address a range of design Neighbourhood Plans outcomes.
24 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
A27. To ensure that landscaping is an Tauranga City Introduce ‘whole road integral part of the project plan Tauranga Council Parks and Urban Design Strategy corridor’ design principles and includes the planting of trees, City Council Leisure Division Identified through into road and footpath gardens and turf where physically Transportation future site design Short Term and ongoing Open Space Strategy upgrades possible and appropriate which Group Tauranga City process. reflects the character and context Asset Development Neighbourhood Plans of the area. Division
A28. Tauranga City Provide public education on Inform residents and property Council Parks and the planting, pruning and owners of the high value contained Leisure Division Tauranga removing of street trees in the existing and future city tree City Council Existing staff budgets. Short Term and ongoing through brochures, Council estate, and offer guidance for Tauranga Environmental web site, LIM reports, PIM shared management between the City Council Services Group reports and property files. Council and the public. Communications Division
25 B. Parks and Reserves – our green oasis
Where We Are Now Otumoetai. There is the opportunity within the city to Where We Want To Be establish a botanic gardens network that will offer a wide variety of trees and plants for people to enjoy. In addition The Vision: Residential intensification and population growth places specific themes are followed for planting a number of greater emphasis on public spaces to provide vegetation reserves (see appendices). as section sizes decrease. Parks and reserves may Tauranga’s parks and reserves are places where people be utilised to provide a diverse range of vegetation Seven undeveloped stormwater reserves have been can learn about and experience a wide range of trees, requirements including indigenous restoration, stepping identified for future amenity and ecological planting. shrubs and flowering plants. stones for wildlife in an ecological corridor, heritage In 2004 Council commissioned the Wairakei Stream through time, different themes, and community gardens. Landscape Development for the Papamoa Main Drain from Pacific View Road through to Marjorie Lane. The How we will measure success Most reserves have current Reserve Management Plans report gives detailed concept planting plans along with incorporating landscape design concept plans or general walkways/cycle ways and breaks them down into 5 The success of this will be measured by – vegetation management principles e.g. Crime Prevention different implementation stages. through Environmental Design (CPTED). Those that do • Increase in peoples’ satisfaction with parks and not have Reserve Management Plans or require existing Council is developing the Kopurererua Valley Reserve reserves amenity ones to be updated will have vegetation addressed at over a 30 year period. Development includes ecological • Reduction in the number of complaints about park that stage. planting and restoration, construction of a walkway/cycle weeds way network, river realignment and cultural use areas. • Increase in the biodiversity of flora and fauna in Establishment of restoration sites in reserve areas is reserves and park gardens addressed in the Estuarine, Riparian and Gully section. Gordon Carmichael Reserve is two years into a 10 year planting plan which includes both amenity and ecological Tauranga is in the process of establishing a botanical plantings. garden which is to be situated at Miller Road in
26 Trees There is little forward planning for park tree planting which is undertaken on a year by year basis. The current annual budget Council currently has 7,785 trees in parks and reserves for tree planting allows for one tree per reserve per year. (including storm water reserves) recorded on its asset register. Not included in this are McLaren Falls Arboretum, Mauao, or There is some commemorative tree planting allowed on some undeveloped reserves such as Kopurererua Valley Reserve. reserves. There are no reserves dedicated to commemorative Of the 156 known species 55% are exotic, 38% are native plantings and plaque placement. and 7% are yet to be identified. The value of these trees is conservatively estimated at $19 million. Reserve trees are maintained under the Reserve Tree Maintenance Contract. Under the current Treescape Management Policy residents may request that a tree is 30 pruned because it blocks views or causes shade. There is no 25 programmed tree maintenance by Council for McLaren Falls 20 Arboretum, Mauao, Yatton Park, Wharepai Domain, Waipuna Park, Mt Drury, Pitau Road, Memorial Park or Faulkner Park. 15 There is the potential for a formal partnering agreement with 10 the Waikato Institute of Technology whose arboricultural Percentage 5 students undertake some tree maintenance each year at McLaren Falls Arboretum. The Bay of Plenty Tree Society 0 undertakes tree planting at McLaren Falls Arboretum. Oak Pine
Banksia Trees in stormwater reserves are maintained as and when Casuarina Eucalyptus Norfolk Pine Pohutukawa required. Council’s Water Services Division own large areas of land both inside and outside the city’s boundary. These are Indian Bead Tree a mixture of forestry, native bush and scrub. Forestry blocks Tree Species on water catchment and solid waste land are maintained by Fig.2: Illustration of major species distribution represented in Tauranga reserves forestry consultants and contractors. Fencing has been erected PARKS AND RESERVES PARKS Few significant trees have interpretation plaques and those that to keep farm animals away from water catchment resources do are not replaced when they are damaged. however vegetation management in these areas is minimal with maintenance limited to animal pest and some noxious weed control only.
27 Gardens Cemeteries
There are currently 573 reserve gardens totalling Council maintains 6 cemeteries (including the Mission 131,155m2 recorded on Council’s asset register. The Cemetery). Maintenance is under contract and average sized garden is 229m2. Gardens range from incorporates mowing, weed control, juvenile trees, formal rose beds to annual beds to long term planting. rose and shrub gardens. There is no programmed tree The number of plants and species throughout the city maintenance for mature trees in cemeteries. The number is unknown therefore it is not possible to determine the and species of trees in cemeteries is unknown. extent of native plant biodiversity in reserve gardens. Mission Cemetery is part of the Reserve Maintenance There are some plantings in revegetation areas that are Contract for Tauranga and is part funded by the Ministry too dense and very close to walkways/cycle ways and for Culture and Heritage. this has made people feel unsafe when they use them.
Some reserves that are vested in Council have gardens planted by the developer. Council approves the size, positioning and species selection.
There is no planned rejuvenation of reserve gardens resulting in some gardens being in a state of disrepair.
There are no community garden groups operating on Council reserves.
28 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B1. Give recognition to the need to make our parks and reserves Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy Develop concept landscape a pleasant environment by Council Parks and Urban Design Strategy planting plans where providing vegetation in public Leisure Division Tauranga City To be identified through Open Space Strategy appropriate incorporating trees, space, promote CPTED principles, Council Stormwater Reserve Management Reserve Management shrubs, flowering plants and promote biodiversity and Tauranga Division Plan, Neighbourhood Short Term and Ongoing Plans groundcover for all parks and encourage bird life into urban City Council Plan and Smart Living Catchment Plans reserves as part of Reserve areas, provide shade, shelter, Environmental Community Places processes Neighbourhood Plans Management Plan process. character and aesthetic appeal, Policy Division reflect community needs for Smart Living Places planting.
B2. Give recognition to the need to make our parks and reserves NZ Biodiversity Strategy a pleasant environment by To be identified through Urban Design Strategy Implementation of parks providing vegetation in public Tauranga City Reserve Management Open Space Strategy and reserves landscape space, promote biodiversity and Council Parks and Community Groups Plan, Neighbourhood Short Term and Ongoing Reserve Management planting plans. encourage bird life into urban Leisure Division Plan and Smart Living Plans areas, provide shade, shelter, Places processes Catchment Plans character and aesthetic appeal, Neighbourhood Plans reflect community needs for Smart Living Places planting.
B 3 . Develop a Reserve Garden Renewal Plan that includes Provide a healthy, safe, functional NZ Biodiversity Strategy planting, maintenance and and quality garden asset. Make Tauranga City renewals of reserve gardens our parks and reserves a pleasant Council Parks and Existing staff budgets 2008 Urban Design Strategy including annual beds environment, increase biodiversity Leisure Division and locally, nationally and and assist with preservation of Reserve Management internationally threatened tree plant species. Plans and plant species.
B4. NZ Biodiversity Strategy Provide a healthy, safe, functional and pleasant garden asset. Make Urban Design Strategy Implementation of Reserve our parks and reserves a people Tauranga City To be identified in Medium Term and Garden Renewal Plan. friendly environment, increase Council Parks and Levels of Service ongoing Reserve Management biodiversity and assist with Leisure Division discussions Plans preservation of plant species. Neighbourhood Plans
29 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B5.
Provide theme planting in the following reserves (identified themes are set out in the Appendices): - Cambridge Road ex-Landfill NZ Biodiversity Strategy - Ohauiti Road Reserve - Merrick Farm To improve on existing themes Open Space Strategy and to provide a wide variety of Tauranga Botanica - Argyll Reserve Combination of existing trees and plants for people to Urban Design Strategy - Gate Pa Domain Tauranga City Reserve Tree Planting experience. Ensure that Tauranga’s Tauranga City - Faulkner Park Council Parks and budgets and Reserve Medium Term and heritage over time is reflected, Council Reserve Management - Cliff Road Gardens Leisure Division Management Plan ongoing maintained and enhanced through Communications Plans - Bayfair Reserve processes. - Motiti Reserve large tree planting. Department - Waipuna Park Neighbourhood Plans - Robbins Park - Yatton Park Smart Living Places - Wharepai Domain - Mission Cemetery - Gordon Carmichael Reserve - Papamoa Domain - Matua Saltmarsh
B6.
Identify locally, nationally and Environment Bay of Plenty internationally threatened tree Increase both national and Tauranga City and plant species that may be international biodiversity and Council Parks and DOC Existing staff budgets Medium term NZ Biodiversity Strategy grown in Tauranga and include assist with preservation of plant Leisure Division them in the Reserve Garden species. Renewal Plan. Tauranga Environment Centre
30 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B7. Tauranga City Council Parks and Reserve Management Identify one reserve in Mount/ To provide established sites within Leisure Division Plans Papamoa and one reserve in the City boundary for planting Tauranga that may be used for Existing staff budgets Short Term of commemorative trees and Tauranga Neighbourhood Plans commemorative tree planting by placement of plaques. City Council the public. Environmental Open Space Strategy Policy Division
B8. To ensure that commemorative trees in the City’s parks and Tauranga City reserves are well placed and Council City Establish policy, protocols complimentary to the surrounding Directions Group and species list for planting Treescape Management environment while meeting Existing budgets 2007 commemorative trees on Policy the needs of the sponsor Tauranga City reserves identified in B7. and the parks and reserves Council Parks and Reserve Management Plans Leisure Division and Asset Management Plan.
B9. Tauranga City Tauranga City Council Property Council Parks and Division Leisure Division Provide public education on Raise an awareness of the Medium Term and Treescape Management the planting of commemorative opportunity for planting Churches and ongoing Policy Tauranga trees on public land. commemorative trees. other religious City Council establishments Communications Division Funeral Directors
B10. Tauranga City Reserve Management Ensure orderly and consistent Council City Plans management of community Investigate the need for a Services Group gardens across the City by Tauranga City Community Gardens Supporting At the completion of Neighbourhood Plans establishing protocols and Council City Existing staff budgets Policy. Tauranga Smart Living Places assessment criteria for community Directions Group City Council Open Space Strategy gardens on publicly owned land Transportation Group Urban Design Strategy
31 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B 11 . Continue to operate and Reserve Management maintain the horticultural Provide a conservational and Tauranga City Plan display house currently educational facility, to display Council Parks and Existing operational Short term and Ongoing situated at Robbins Park using and grow botanical collections budget Leisure Division Asset Management a mixture of Council owned under a controlled environment. Plans and leased plant material.
B12. Tauranga City Council Promote and provide education Tauranga City Communications on the history, character and $ 15,000 not included Establish a Heritage Tree Council Parks and Department 2017 (Beyond scope of Open Space Strategy Trail and Catalogue ecological value that heritage Leisure Division within LTCCP current LTCCP) trees create for the City. The Elms Trust Maungawhare Trust
B 13 . Write tree management plans for: - McLaren Falls Park, Tauranga City Open Space Strategy - Wharepai Domain, Ensure that Tauranga’s heritage Council Parks and Reserve Management - Mauao, over time is reflected, maintained Leisure Division Waikato Institute of Determined by Reserve Medium Term and Plans - Mt Drury, and enhanced through its large Management Plan - Pitau Road Reserve, significant tree plantings through Technology ongoing Tauranga City process Asset Management - Papamoa Domain, adequate maintenance and long Council Property Plans - Faulkner Park term replacement plans. - , Memorial Park, Division - Waipuna Park - trees in cemeteries. Existing Operational B14. Short Term and ongoing and Capital budgets NZ Biodiversity Strategy City Investment Partners $100,000 per annum Sort Term and ongoing Bay of Plenty Regional Restoring indigenous wetland Capex Implementation of Pest Management and riparian vegetation, control Tauranga City Community Care Kopurererua Valley Reserve Strategy existing plant pest species, provide Council Parks and Groups $150,000 per annum Development Project: Short Term for sustainable cultural usage of Leisure Division Opex Restoration Planting Plan Catchment Management fauna and flora Ngai Tamarawaho Plans $214,000 per annum Medium Term Tauranga Opex Reserve Management Environment Centre Plans $277,000 per annum Long Term Opex 32 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B15.
Tauranga City Annually review and update Monitor effectiveness and Council Parks and Kopurererua Valley Reserve progress of weed control and Leisure Division Ngai Tamarawaho Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Development Project: restorative planting. Restoration Planting Plan Consultant
B16. Existing Operational budget of $100,000 over NZ Biodiversity Strategy Implementation of Tauranga City 10 years Bay of Plenty Regional landscape planting plan Community Care Council Parks and Groups Short Term and ongoing Pest Management for Gordon Carmichael Leisure Division Existing Capital budget Strategy Reserve of $605,310 over 10 Catchment Management years Plans
B17. Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy Finalisation of Wairakei Council Parks and Community Care $ 6.9m current costing Bay of Plenty Regional Stream Landscape Enhance the recreational, amenity, Leisure Division Groups – to be confirmed post Pest Management Development Planning for cultural and ecological values of 2017 (Beyond scope of Strategy by Council Strategy the stormwater reserve the stream corridor while retaining current LTCCP) Tauranga City Investment Open Space Strategy between Pacific View stormwater function. City Council Partners Existing staff budgets Urban Design Strategy Road and Marjorie Lane. Stormwater Catchment Management Division Plans
B18. Manage Tauranga City Council Catchment Care Plans Tauranga City owned land in the water supply Asset Management Council Water Maintain and harvest catchments in a manner that Plans Services Division Tauranga City existing and future forestry retains or improves the water Existing Operational Council Parks and Short Term and ongoing Forestry Management blocks on a best practice quality in the streams downstream Budget Plans Tauranga City Leisure Division silvicultural basis. of these blocks of land. Ensure Health and Safety in Council Solid Councils return on investment Employment Act 1992 Waste Department is maximised and that safety for Draft EBOP Land and users is not compromised Water Plan
33 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
B19. Catchment Care Plans Implementation of plan to Tauranga City Public Health Risk Water Resource Management and Environment Short to Medium Term revegetate the Waiorohi Council Water $ 44,000 Management Plans risk mitigation identified in Public Bay of Plenty over 5 years Stream catchment area Health Risk Management Plans. Services Division Draft EBOP Land and Water Plan
B20. NZ Biodiversity Strategy
Evaluate current reserve Bay of Plenty Regional maintenance techniques To provide a ‘spray-free’ facility, Pest Management and identify a specific Tauranga City Determined by Reserve promote spray-free management Spraywatchers Strategy reserve to be maintained Council Parks and Management Plan Short term and allow monitoring of spray-free Group using techniques other Leisure Division process objectives Catchment Management than with the use of Plans chemicals Reserve Management Plans
34 10 yearweedmanagement strategyforthesurveyed weed surveyof thecoastalreserveareaalong witha In March200Councilcommissioned anenvironmental Domain, Taylor Reserve andMotitiReserve). covering approximately224hectares(includingPapamoa The coastalreserveextendsalong 18.5kmofthecoastline Where We AreNow • • • • • The successofthisstrategywillbemeasuredby– How wewillmeasuresuccess A wildandnaturalnativecoastalecosystem The Vision: Where We Want To Be encroachments Reduction inthenumberofprivatecoastal pests Decrease intheabundanceanddistributionofplant plant species Improvement innumberanddistributionofthreatened Ecological Sites Increase inbiodiversityconditionofcoastalSpecial indicators Improvement incoastalindigenousbiodiversity C. OpenCoastal–wildandnatural area. Thestrategyisinyear4ofthe10yearsand shade forbeach users. each yearforplanting intheCoastalReserve toprovide Since 1999DrPaulSalmonhasdonated 100 pohutukawa found inothers. plant pestsinsomesiteswhile newplantpestshavebeen clearance, rubbishdumping, fire, erosionandanincreasein The downwardtrendisduetovehicletracks,vegetation trended downin3SpecialEcologicalSitesandup1. (see followingmapfigure).Biodiversityconditionhas Sites and1PotentialRestorationSiteontheopencoast the EnvironmentReporting2005lists12SpecialEcological The IndigenousBiodiversityofTauranga City–Stateof vegetation. sites aremostlylocatedwherethedunesdenudeof There aresomebackdunerestorationsiteshoweverthese Restoration hasprimarilyfocusedontheforedunesystem. the MountMainBeachandPapamoaDomain. an estimated50otherplantingsitesinthedunesbetween shore spurgeandsandtussock.Thereare16leafplots Species planted include threatened species such as pingao, approximately 10,000plantseachyearprovidedbyCouncil. operating since1996,has207volunteersandplants Environment BayofPlentyandthecommunity, hasbeen Coastcare isapartnershipbetweenTauranga CityCouncil, targeted weedcontrolthroughcontractors. Environment BayofPlentyCoastcareCoordinatorand environmental enhancementgroupsorganisedbythe being implementedthroughacombinationofvolunteer
35 OPEN COASTAL Actions and principles in Smart Growth relating to the coastal area are –
• The natural character of the coastal environment is preserved • The physical integrity and visual quality of significant coastal landscape features is maintained • Significant indigenous habitats are protected • Resources or areas of special spiritual, historical or cultural significance to Tangata Whenua are protected • Tangata Whenua throughout the sub-region have maintained the customary and traditional practices and associations with their marine and coastal environments • All coastal management strategies and implementation plans are integrated to ensure long term sustainability of the coast • The scarcity of indigenous ecosystems particularly in the coastal plain and harbour edge and the importance of protecting remnants and restoring degraded areas
There are some controls within the District Plan under Sections 4: Natural Resources Section and 14: General Natural Resource Rules for protecting the dune systems, coastal margins, sensitive habitats and vegetation. There Opportunities for Ecological Restoration along the Coastal Strip Special Ecological Sites, Restoration Sites and Potential Restoration Sites are 2 coastal Special Ecological Sites listed under Section 14: General Natural Resource Rules in the District Plan.
36 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
C1. NZ Biodiversity Strategy Bay of Plenty Regional Tauranga City Implementation of the “Ten Pest Management Create and maintain a healthy Council Parks and Strategy Year Environmental Weed native, natural and wild dune Leisure Division Contractors Existing operational NZ Coastal Policy Management Plan for the system and coastal character Coastcare Volunteer Short Term and ongoing Mount Maunganui to Papamoa budget Statement while providing for the sustainable Environment Bay of Groups Coastal Reserves Dune System” report dated cultural usage of fauna and flora. Plenty Coast Care March 2002 Management Plan Coordinator Coastal Structures and Encroachments onto
C2. To assess the risks associated with Review and extend plant pests on adjacent private NZ Biodiversity Strategy the scope of the “Ten land, address the restoration of Tauranga City Bay of Plenty Regional Year Environmental Weed the back dune system through Council Parks and Pest Management Management Plan for the whole dune landscape planting $40,000 Medium Term 2009/2010 Leisure Division Strategy Mount Maunganui to Papamoa and management, and to address Consultant NZ Coastal Policy Dune System” report to include concerns raised in the Indigenous Statement planting and maintenance of the Biodiversity of Tauranga - State of dune system as a whole the Environment Reporting 2005
C 3 . Remove all exotic tree NZ Biodiversity Strategy Create and maintain a healthy Tauranga City species from the coastal dune Bay of Plenty Regional native, natural and wild dune Council Parks and Existing Operational Short term and Ongoing system (not including Papamoa Pest Management system and coastal character Leisure Division Budget Domain or Taylor Reserve). Strategy
C4. NZ Biodiversity Strategy
To remove weed species from Bay of Plenty Regional Existing operational Long Term dunes and replace them with Environment Bay of Pest Management budgets Implementation of Marine indigenous dune species, provide Tauranga City Plenty Coast Care Strategy Parade Reserve Approved shade and to stabilise the Coordinator Council Parks and $21,450 2016 Development Plan dated August mechanically rebuilt fore dune Leisure Division Coastcare Volunteer Reserves Act 1977 Coastal Reserves 2003 with appropriate sand binding Groups Long Range $359,000 Management Plan vegetation, repair areas around 2017-18 stormwater outlets. Mount Main Beach Management Plan
37 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
C5. Review the Coastal To incorporate CPTED principles, Reserves Management Plan identify location of approved NZ Biodiversity Strategy and develop landscape plans beach accessways, use vegetation for Coastal Reserves management techniques where appropriate to guide public access, Tauranga City NZ Coastal Policy provide shade for beach and car Council Parks and Existing operational 2008 Statement park users, increase the amenity Leisure Division budget value of car parks, increase Coastal Reserves reserve amenity value, character Management Plan and aesthetic appeal, increase biodiversity, enhance wildlife Mount Main Beach habitats, and address successional Management Plan tree planting
C6.
Develop Motiti Reserve as a Tauranga Botanica NZ Biodiversity Strategy Defined through Urban Design Strategy New Zealand coastal tree and To provide a broad range of native Tauranga City Tauranga Coastal Reserve Reserve Management plant park and incorporate into coastal trees and plants for people Council Parks and 2008 City Council Management Plan Plans Coastal Reserves Landscape to experience. Leisure Division and Management planning in Communications process. Neighbourhood Plans C5. Department Smart Living Places
C7. NZ Biodiversity Strategy
To identify where approved beach NZ Coastal Policy access ways are, provide shade for Statement beach and car park users, increase Combination of existing Implement Coastal Reserves the amenity value of car parks, Tauranga City operational budgets Medium term and Bay of Plenty Regional Landscape Planting and increase the amenity value by Council Parks and and Coastal Reserve ongoing Pest Management Management Plan providing shade shelter, character Leisure Division Management Plan Strategy and aesthetic appeal, increase process. biodiversity, enhance wildlife Open Space Strategy habitats, and address successional tree planting for Papamoa Domain Coastal Reserves pine trees. Management Plan
38 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
C8. Preserve and protect the existing continuous areas of indigenous Resource Management Implementation of the vegetation vegetation forest and encourage Act component of the Mauao- its growth and predominance Mount Maunganui, Main Beach, except where archaeological Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy Moturiki – Leisure Island, and other considerations may be Council Parks and Existing operational Short Term and ongoing Hopukiore – Mount Drury, paramount. Develop new areas Leisure Division budgets Bay of Plenty Regional Waikorire – Pilot Bay Reserves of indigenous vegetation where Pest Management Management Plan dated August this will result in the improvement Strategy 1998 and Conservation Plan for of water quality (springs) and Mauao Historic Reserve 2004 otherwise enhance the habitat NZ Coastal Policy value of existing vegetation. Statement Selectively preserve exotic trees in appropriate locations.
C9. To inform adjacent land owners of the importance of the coastal dune system and the damage that NZ Biodiversity Strategy inappropriate planting, rubbish Tauranga City Continue to provide public dumping and encroachments can Council Parks and Bay of Plenty Regional education on the importance cause, promote the educational Leisure Division Tauranga Pest Management Local educational and functions of coastal dune values and opportunities to local City Council Short Term and Ongoing Strategy systems, proper care and schools and educational institutes Environment Communications providers maintenance, appropriate that coastal dune systems Bay of Plenty Division Coastal Structures and species for planting and plant provide, encourage participation Coastcare Encroachments onto pest control methods. in restoration of coastal dune Coordinator Reserves Supporting systems, promote best practice Policy techniques for plant pest clearance and species selection for planting.
39 D. Estuarine, Riparian and Gully – green corridors
Appendix B) and gives biodiversity condition ratings Actions and principles in Smartgrowth relating to these Where We Want To Be on 28 Special Ecological Sites that are situated within areas are – estuarine, riparian or gully areas (see Appendix C.). The Vision: Biodiversity condition has deteriorated in 5 sites and • Protect and restore remaining areas of natural improved in 1 site (Matua Salt Marsh where the 10 year environment within urban areas through District Plan Management Plan has been successfully completed). and Reserve Management Plans A network of habitats creating linkages between • Establish priorities for ecosystem maintenance and ecological areas and supporting a diverse and healthy Planting or restoration work by Tauranga City Council enhancement and the allocation of resources range of native and exotic plants and wildlife. to date has mainly been undertaken in under developed • Raise awareness and understanding of the recreational reserves and in some stormwater reserves. importance of ecosystems through education and Reserves that have not been identified for wholesale advocacy How we will measure success restoration receive some weed control initiated through • Protect the ecological values of significant indigenous resident request. Forward planning for restoration work habitats through regional and district plan regulation The success of this strategy will be measured by – undertaken by Council in estuarine, riparian and gully and land acquisition and management areas is currently being undertaken on a year by year • Develop and implement Environmental Action Plans in • Improvement in indigenous biodiversity indicators basis. partnership with Community Action Groups • Increase in biodiversity condition of Special Ecological Sites There are some restoration care groups operating • Improvement in number and distribution of threatened on Council owned or administered land through the There are some rules in the District Plan under Section species Tauranga Environment Centre’s ‘Urban Greenspace 4 Natural Resources and Section 14 General Natural • Decrease in the abundance and distribution of animal Project’. Council has provided some plants to care groups Resources which afford some vegetation and ecosystem and plant pests and collected weeds from reserves where care groups protection. • Increase in Actual Restoration Sites have been operating. Currently there are restoration care • Increase in the number of restoration care groups groups operating in Johnson Reserve, Castlewold Drive, Argyle Reserve, Osprey Drive, Lagoon Place, Scantlebury Street, Waikareao Estuary, Welcome Bay, Matua Salt Estuarine Marsh, Fraser Street and Rudolph Steiner (private land). Estuarine areas are “tidal and non-tidal saline wetlands Where We Are Now Council has a Memorandum of Understanding with EBOP associated with a coastal body of water with a free and the Tauranga Environment Centre to encourage connection to the open sea and where fresh water, and support using care groups. Council supported In 2005 Council commissioned a report into the derived from land drainage (usually rivers) is mixed with the Tauranga Environment Centre in 2005/06 with indigenous biodiversity of Tauranga City. The report sea water” (Allaby 1994). lists Actual and Potential Restoration sites (mapped in establishing the Urban Greenspace Coordinator position.
40 They are the final link in the mountains to the sea or stormwater land or have greenbelt zoning. Most chain and provide essential habitat for wildlife, offer waterways are privately owned. educational and recreational opportunities for students, teachers and the public. Planted areas have a high Council has undertaken riparian restoration work in degree of visual amenity and ecological value. Johnson Reserve, Millbrook, Wairakei Stream, Esk Street and Kaitemako Stream. The Tauranga District Plan lists 14 estuarine Special Ecological Sites some of which have Conservation Zone The Tauranga District Plan lists 1 riparian Special status. The Indigenous Biodiversity of Tauranga City – Ecological Site. The Indigenous Biodiversity of Tauranga State of the Environment Reporting 2005 lists 23 estuarine City – State of the Environment Reporting 2005 lists 18 sites as Special Ecological Sites and a large number of riparian sites as Special Ecological Sites and a large potential estuarine restoration sites. number of potential riparian restoration sites.
Actions and principles in Smart Growth that directly Actions and principles in Smartgrowth that directly relate relate to estuarine areas are – to riparian areas are –
• Importance of preserving the natural character of • Identify and protect significant riparian areas cycling. Restoring them to their former wild natural state Tauranga harbour (Riparian Management Zones) for their soil creates wildlife corridors and habitat, increases native • The quality of the sub region’s water resources conservation and water quality values biodiversity, helps prevent erosion and enhances the (including harbours, estuaries, rivers, streams and • The natural character and ecosystems of water quality of water running into riparian and estuarine areas aquifers) is improved, bodies are protected from adverse human-induced and the harbour. • Identify and protect significant harbour coast changes landscape feature • Develop stream and gully enhancement plans Council has no involvement with the vegetation management of privately owned gullies Riparian Gullies Although the District Plan mentions the protection of Riparian areas are the green, vegetated areas on each Gullies are valleys of varying steepness forming natural outstanding landscapes and riparian areas there is no side of streams and rivers. They act as sediment and separations between different land character and specific mention of Tauranga’s gully systems. There are pollution filters, stream flow regulators, bank and bed activities, and forming ecological links from the hill some stands of trees and some individual trees in gullies stabilisers, and wildlife corridors and fish habitats. ranges to the sea. They represent approximately 5% of protected under the District Plan. Smartgrowth identifies the total city area. Most gullies are formed through water gullies as a key element in the urban and rural landscape Urbanisation has lead to a loss of sensitive invertebrates flow and have a stormwater dispersing capability. Some and lists ecological linkages along rivers and streams as resulting in a reduction in aquatic life within urban water gullies are designated as drainage reserves. priority areas for restoration. systems. The reasons are usually attributed to physical changes e.g. loss of habitat, extreme highs and lows Some gullies have reserve, conservation or greenbelt Actions and principles in Smart Growth that directly AND GULLY RIPARIAN ESTUARINE, in water flow caused by diverting water systems from zoning which provides for some control over vegetation relate to gully areas are – meandering to straight, increased sedimentation and removal. Approximately 60% of gullies are in private pollution. ownership. • Review District Plan greenbelt and transport corridors to enhance use and identify opportunities for securing Tauranga is a city surrounded by hills with many Gullies provide opportunities for connecting places. land for green corridors waterways. Some waterways run through reserve People can experience them through walking or • Develop stream and gully enhancement plans
41 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
D1. To plan and coordinate control Tauranga City programmes for those plant pests Council Parks and NZ Biodiversity Strategy listed in the Bay of Plenty Regional Leisure Division. Smartgrowth Pest Management Strategy, to Tauranga Develop and prioritise Reserve preserve the natural physical City Council Bay of Plenty Regional Restoration Plans to restore form of gullies through erosion Stormwater Tauranga Pest Management and maintain Council owned or prevention by vegetative methods, Division Environment Centre Strategy administered estuarine, riparian to restore the identified riparian, Tauranga City and gully areas identified estuarine and gully systems into Council Water Environment Existing staff budgets Short Term Open Space Strategy in Indigenous Biodiversity natural healthy habitats supporting Services Division Bay of Plenty Catchment Management of Tauranga - State of the fish and wildlife, preserve the Tauranga Plans Environment Reporting 2005. natural character of Tauranga City Council Tangata Whenua See Appendices ‘B’ and ‘C’. harbour, to provide for sustainable Transportation Reserve Management cultural usage of fauna and flora Group Plans and to provide vegetation diversity Tauranga City and structure by using locally Council Solid Harbour Reserve sourced native species where Waste Division Management Plan possible.
D2. To control all plant pests with those listed in the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy as Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy the first priority for management, Council Stormwater Smartgrowth to preserve and enhance the Division natural physical form of gullies Tauranga City Bay of Plenty Regional through erosion prevention by Council Water Existing Operational Pest Management vegetative methods, to restore Services Division Budgets Strategy the identified gully systems into Tauranga City Tauranga Implementation of Reserve natural healthy habitats supporting Council Parks and City Council $400,000 per annum Short Term and ongoing Open Space Strategy Restoration Plans fish and wildlife, preserve the Leisure Division. Transportation Catchment Management natural character of Tauranga Group $10,000 per annum Plans harbour, to provide for sustainable Tauranga City for successional tree cultural usage of fauna and flora Council Solid Waste planting Reserve Management and to provide vegetation diversity Division Plans and structure by using locally Tauranga sourced native species where Environment Centre Harbour Reserve possible, encourage participation Environment Management Plan in restoration of both private and Bay of Plenty public gullies and riparian and estuarine systems.
42 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
D3. Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy Council Parks and Leisure Division Smartgrowth Tauranga City Council Stormwater Provide the basis for which State of the Environment Division estuarine, riparian and gully Monitoring Programme Review and update Indigenous systems are to be restored to their Tauranga Tauranga City Biodiversity of Tauranga – State Council Water original natural state. To assist City Council Medium Term Bay of Plenty Regional of the Environment Reporting Services Division Existing budget with the improvement of water Environmental Every 3 years Pest Management 2005. Tauranga City quality and storm water runoff into Policy Division Strategy identified riparian and estuarine Council Solid Waste Division areas and Tauranga harbour. Catchment Management Environment Plans Bay of Plenty Tangata Whenua Reserve Management Tauranga Plans Environment Centre
D4.
Identify which remnant areas that Environment DOC Resource Management Identify areas of remnant bush are currently unprotected and are Bay of Plenty Act 1991 for protection. These may worthy of protection. To assist Tangata Whenua Existing staff budget Medium Term include both Council owned and with the improvement of water Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy non Council owned land. quality and storm water runoff into Council Parks and Tauranga identified riparian areas. Leisure Division Environment Centre
D5. Tauranga City Council Environment Investigate protection of and Environmental Ensure the retention, enhancement Bay of Plenty where appropriate protect Consents Division Resource Management and conservation of significant Private Landowners Unknown Medium Term Act 1991 privately owned remnant bush Tauranga City intact areas of flora and fauna. Developers areas identified in D4. Council Parks and Department of NZ Biodiversity Strategy Leisure Division Conservation Tangata Whenua
43 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
D6. To promote the educational values Tauranga City and opportunities to local schools Council Parks and Provide public education on and educational institutes that Leisure Division NZ Biodiversity Strategy the importance and functions estuarine, riparian and gully Environment Tauranga of estuarine, riparian and systems provide, encourage Bay of Plenty City Council Existing staff budget Short Term and Ongoing Bay of Plenty Regional gully systems, proper care participation in restoration of both Indigenous Communications and maintenance, appropriate private and public gullies and Biodiversity Advice Division Pest Management species for planting and plant riparian and estuarine systems. Administrator DOC Strategy pest control methods. Promote best practice techniques NZ Landcare Trust for plant pest clearance and Local educational species selection for planting. providers
D7. NZ Biodiversity Strategy Tauranga City Smartgrowth Council Parks and Promote best practice techniques Bay of Plenty Regional Environment Leisure Division Establish environmental for plant pest clearance and Pest Management Bay of Plenty Tauranga City protection and enhancement species selection for planting, Strategy Council Storm Water programmes, setting up and encourage participation in Existing staff budgets Short Term and Ongoing Catchment Management Tauranga Division using restoration care groups. restoration of both private and Plans Environment WBoPDC public estuarine, riparian and Reserve Management Centre DOC gullies. Plans NZ Landcare Trust Harbour Reserve Tangata Whenua Management Plan
D8. To preserve the natural physical Resource Management form of gullies through erosion Act 1991 prevention by vegetative methods, Use a suite of tools that to restore gully systems into Tauranga NZ Biodiversity Strategy may include collaboration, natural healthy habitats supporting City Council Tauranga City protection, guidelines, minimum fish and wildlife, to support the Environmental Council Business Smartgrowth standards and District Plan development of low impact Policy Division Services Group enforcement for restoration of design principles for stowmwater Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Bay of Plenty Regional Estuarine, Riparian and Gully management and to improve Tauranga Tauranga City Pest Management areas that are subject to or the quality of water in identified City Council Council Stormwater Strategy may be affected by subdivision. estuarine and riparian areas and Environmental Division Tauranga harbour in fulfilment of Consents Division Urban Design Strategy the requirement of Section 6 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Open Space Strategy
44 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
D9. Manage mangrove populations in accordance with EBOP Resource Tauranga City Manage mangrove populations Consent. To control the loss of Council parks and in Matua Estuary, Waikareao Tauranga Harbour’s significant Leisure Division Existing Budgets Short Term and Ongoing Resource Management Estuary, Waimapu Estuary and mudflat communities and to Act 1991 Welcome Bay Estuary. prevent reduction in the ecological Community Groups diversity of habitats.
45 E. CBD and Neighbourhood Centres – attractive spaces with green places
comprehensive approach, to create an attractive, lively Some neighbourhood centres and some emerging Where We Want To Be place to be and invest in, recognising its role in the sub neighbourhood centres have little or no amenity planting. region. The Vision: Overall the quality of vegetation in the CBD and Tauranga also has neighbourhood centres that range neighbourhood centres varies in quality, appropriateness in size from village centres such as Phoenix (Mount to the location and the amenity it provides. There are Attractive places attracting people Maunganui) and Greerton, to smaller local shopping opportunities to improve it through existing and new areas such as Welcome Bay and Cherrywood. A programmes for redevelopment and renewal but this number of these neighbourhood centres have been requires a comprehensive approach How we will measure success recently renewed, including comprehensive replanting programmes, or planning is in the pipeline for their The success of this strategy will be measured by – renewal. In some of these centres a consistent theme Actions and principles from Smartgrowth are – to the street tree and garden planting is apparent and • Increase in peoples’ satisfaction with the level of contributes to the identity of those areas. In other areas • Tauranga CBD remains the “heart” of the sub-region amenity of Tauranga’s Central Business District and the plantings are very much ad hoc and do not improve • The street trees, squares and gardens provide an Neighbourhood Centres the amenity of these areas. oasis for birds and workers • Increase in the amount of vegetation in Tauranga’s • Design of public spaces receives high priority Central Business District and Neighbourhood Centres There are also privately operated shopping areas in • Town centres provide social and cultural values that • Greater continuity of planting and an increase in the Brookfield and Malls at Bayfair and Papamoa that are go beyond the commercial interests of retailers and perception of the identity of Tauranga’s Central perceived or act as public space. These places continue other businesses Business District and Neighbourhood Centres to be developed and redeveloped and increasingly • Implement the Tauranga CBD Strategic Development landscaping is considered as part of this process. Framework • Complete all stages of the Tauranga Waterfront/CBD Where We Are Now project The hanging baskets in Tauranga are valued by the • Continue with a strategy for vibrant “living centres” community, have both summer and winter displays and Tauranga Central Business (CBD) is intended as are changed twice annually. There is provision for 80 the economic, social and cultural heart of not only hanging baskets but funding for only 60. Tauranga but the Western Bay of Plenty sub region. Planning is underway to develop a management and Some areas within the Tauranga CBD have little to design framework to guide public and private space no vegetation e.g. Durham Street, First and Second development in the CBD to provide a much more Avenues between Cameron Road and Devonport Road.
46 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
E1. Improve visual amenity, provide shade and shelter, promote biodiversity, improve linkages for Urban Design Strategy wildlife between ecological and open space areas, encourage Open Space Strategy Develop landscape plans that birdlife back into the city, Tauranga City Determined through reflect and enhance character Mainstreets Short Term and ongoing reinforce character and identity Council design processes Smart Living Places and identity with all CBD and of local neighbourhoods, create neighbourhood centre upgrades a people friendly environment, CBD Revitalisation develop a comprehensive and Project well structured CBD environment creating greater legibility, reduce Neighbourhood Plans the heat island effect created by hard surfaces.
E2. Urban Design Strategy Implementation of landscape Improve visual amenity, provide plan as part of the Cherrywood shade and shelter and create a Tauranga City Existing budgets 2007/08 Open Space Strategy Centre upgrade people friendly environment Council Integrated Transport Strategy
E3. Urban Design Strategy Implementation of landscape Improve visual amenity, provide Existing budgets 2009/10 plan as part of the Central shade and shelter and create a Tauranga City Open Space Strategy Parade upgrade people friendly environment Council Integrated Transport Strategy
E4. Urban Design Strategy Improve visual amenity, assist Open Space Strategy Develop a landscape plan for with traffic safety by highlighting Tauranga City the upgrade of the Merivale entrances into the shopping $30,000 Short-Medium Term Council Integrated Transport shopping centre. area, provide shade and shelter and create a people friendly Strategy environment Merivale Neighbourhood Plan
47 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
E5. Improve visual amenity, assist Urban Design Strategy with traffic safety by highlighting Open Space Strategy Implementation of entrances into the shopping Tauranga City To be determined as Long Term Integrated Transport landscape plan for the area, provide shade and shelter Council part of E4 Strategy Merivale shopping centre and create a people friendly Merivale Neighbourhood environment Plan
E6. Reflect the character of the CBD areas through vegetation, provide landscaping in areas of Urban Design Strategy Tauranga Review effectiveness and the Tauranga CBD that currently Tauranga City Mainstreet Open Space Strategy appropriateness of landscape have none, address concerns raised over trees breaking planter Council Existing staff budgets Ongoing plantings in Tauranga CBD and Mount Mainstreet Smart Living Places Mount CBD. boxes, species suitability for the CBD environment, the function that trees are chosen for i.e. scent, CBD Revitalisation shade, soften hard surfaces, Project shelter and wildlife habitats.
E7. Urban Design Strategy Encourage and explore Provide for the use of roof top partnerships and collaborations gardens, hanging gardens Tauranga City Existing staff budgets Short Term and Ongoing Smart Living Places to establish a wider range and planter boxes in malls Council of vegetation opportunities and shopping centres or large CBD Revitalisation throughout Tauranga CBD. buildings. Project
E8. Improve visual amenity, create $ 30,000 per annum Review the quantity and a people friendly environment, Tauranga City Urban Design Strategy Open Space Strategy maintain the quality of develop a comprehensive and Council Parks and $42,000 per annum Medium Term CBD Revitalisation hanging baskets in the well structured CBD environment leisure Division Short Term Tauranga CBD creating greater legibility Project
E9. Review the quantity and Open Space Strategy Ensure that these main shopping maintain the quality of annual Tauranga City Existing operational areas are vibrant places that Urban Design Strategy flower beds in high profile Council Parks and budgets Short Term and ongoing attract and encourage people to urban shopping, commercial Leisure Division centre and key feature spend time shopping and relaxing. CBD Revitalisation locations Project
48 F. Private Land and community involvement –
Where We Want To Be creating a valued environment The Vision:
Spaces that support a diverse range of vegetation positively contributing to a clean, green, valued environment
How we will measure success
The success of this will be measured by –
• All trees on the Register of Notable and Landscape Trees meet criteria and are managed proactively • Increase in the percentage of registered tree owners who are happy to have their tree registered • Increase in the percentage of registered tree owners who are happy with Council’s level of service • Increase in the amenity of public space provided by non Council land • Increase in the amenity of privately owned land accessible to the public • Increase in visual amenity where private properties and public area boundaries meet
• Increase in visual mitigation of industrial and LANDPRIVATE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT commercial activities • Establishment and maintenance of neighbourhood identity • Reduction in plant pests on land bordering Special Ecological Sites
4949 Where We Are Now For example the Araucaria cunninghamii, Hoop Pine at does not provide enough maintenance. At present there Tauranga Boys’ College which has been identified as the is a cost of applying for a Resource Consent to prune finest-looking tree of its kind in New Zealand. registered trees which many registered tree owners Private space contributes significantly to public space consider a barrier to having their tree pruned. amenity. Older established residential areas of the city, There is a long term intent to have the large tree asset on such as The Avenues and Matua, with mature trees and public land rather than private land but at present there is Aside from the Tree Register there is also a degree of vegetation located in private property are valued for the no action plan to do so. protection for vegetation through Chapter 14 General high level of amenity that the vegetation provides. The Natural Resources Rules of the District Plan. areas also tend to have a strong neighbourhood identity There are some inaccuracies within the Tree Register (and people feel a sense of pride in the area) that result and the Planning Maps. Reasons for this include There is currently no minimum requirement for on site from a combination of the setting, building styles and subdivision with subsequent Planning Maps not landscape planting in commercial or business zones. the level and types of vegetation present in the area. coinciding with legal descriptions, incorrect identification Landscape planting has been through negotiation As the density of development is increasing, the level of street address, incorrect data entry, incorrect species between Council and the developer, at times this has of vegetation found in private property is diminishing. identification and illegal tree removal. There are some good outcomes however it is variable. This has lead to Currently there are no controls on the retention or trees currently on the register whose status as registered a range of visual and environmental impacts resulting provision of vegetation in residential areas, with the trees is questionable. from the current form of development of commercial and exception of the Register of Notable and Landscape industrial areas. Trees and the retention of vegetation as a condition of Mitigation for removal of a registered tree is through subdivision. a financial contribution based on the median price There are some areas of private land that border some (excluding GST) for a replacement pb95 grade tree and Approximately 1990 trees plus some stands of trees the costs associated with planting that tree, planting and Special Ecological Sites or publicly owned reserves and are listed on the Register of Notable and Landscape maintenance of replacement trees, on site landscaping or have large plant pest populations. These act as seed Trees (Tree Register) in the Tauranga District Plan on transplanting the tree to another site. banks and compromise efforts to restore or maintain approximately 670 different sites. the Special Ecological Sites or publicly owned reserves. There are mixed views on the protection of trees Council does not assist with plant pest removal on The mechanism to put new trees on the tree register on private land. There are people who believe that privately owned land. is through a District Plan change and to take them off the protection of trees on private land infringes on is through a Resource Consent. The tree register is private property rights and others who believe it is an Education and awareness of private property that makes decreasing not increasing. Some registered trees appropriate way to ensure the protection of the large tree a significant contribution to planted public areas is have received inappropriate pruning without Council’s asset on private land. included in programmes such as ‘the Urban Greenspace knowledge. Project’ and ‘Sustainable Backyards’ run by the Tauranga A 2006 survey of registered tree owners shows that of 397 Environment Centre. Environment Bay of Plenty have The tree register represents some of Tauranga’s and respondents 41% were happy to have their tree(s) on the staff expertise and schemes to assist with native plant in some cases New Zealand’s most outstanding trees. register while 39% were unhappy, 65% said that Council revegetation on private property.
50 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F1. To retain and preserve trees which are of significant value to the Maintain an accurate Register City in terms of their historical, Tauranga Tauranga City Existing operational Resource Management of Notable and Landscape botanical or cultural value, or City Council Council Parks and Short Term and ongoing budgets Act 1991 Trees and Planning Maps in the through their contribution to Environmental Leisure Division Tauranga District Plan. landscape character and amenity. Policy Division This may also be achieved through the Urban Design Strategy.
F2. Ensure that trees are correctly mapped, species are listed correctly, up to date STEM evaluation of each tree or group Undertake a survey of all trees of trees provided, determine each Tauranga City Resource Management currently listed in the Register tree’s or group of trees health Council Parks and Contractor $ 77,000 2006/2007 Act 1991 of Notable and Landscape Trees and safety status and identify Leisure Division in the Tauranga District Plan. any remedial pruning required to ensure that they are healthy and safe, collect statistical data for tree height, branch spread and trunk diameter is collected.
F3. Tauranga City Council Establish appropriate criteria for Communications To set more stringent and Tauranga City Resource Management placing trees onto the Register Division Existing staff budgets 2008 of Notable and Landscape Trees consistent criteria for placing trees Council Parks and Tauranga Act 1991 in the District Plan on the Register. Leisure Division City Council Environmental Policy Division
F4. To provide data to support a Tauranga Review and assess trees District Plan Change to either Tauranga City City Council currently listed in the Register remove or retain trees currently Council Parks and Existing staff budgets 2009 Environmental against criteria outlined in F3. listed on the Heritage Tree Leisure Division Policy Division Register.
51 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F5.
Undertake a District Plan change to – • Review and broaden the definition of Minor Pruning Work in Section 10 Definitions To enable a wider range of of the Tauranga District Plan maintenance to be undertaken on registered trees without the • Establish a mechanism for need for a consent to be issued, placing new trees onto the provide an easier and quicker Register without the need for a mechanism to place trees onto Tauranga District Plan change the Register without the need City Council for a District Plan Change, to Environmental Tauranga • Increase the minimum allow for greater flexibility for Policy Division City Council $35,000 not included 2010 Resource Management financial contributions under mitigation when registered trees Communications within LTCCP Act 1991 Rule 26.9 Financial Contribution are removed from the District Tauranga City Division for the Removal of Protected Plan, ensure that as trees are Council Parks and Trees removed from the Register the Leisure Division asset is replaced on public • Update Register based on land within the immediate review of criteria and trees vicinity from where the tree was removed, ensure that only • Establish revised criteria Tauranga’s important trees are for removing trees from the registered, and that Council’s Register records are updated and maintained. • Update Planning Maps and text of District Plan with information from the survey in F2.
52 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F6. To ensure that each tree or group of trees listed in the Register is Develop Registered Tree programmed to be checked once Tauranga every three years for health and Maintenance Plan using the Tauranga City City Council Resource Management safety and structural integrity with data captured in F2. Council Parks and Communications Existing Staff budgets 2007 Act 1991 any remedial pruning necessary Leisure Division Division undertaken, and to ensure
accurate records regarding the Contractor health and safety and maintenance of the trees is.
F7.
To ensure that each tree or group of trees listed in the Register Tauranga City is checked and recorded once Council Parks and Tauranga Implementation of Registered Short Term and ongoing Resource Management every three years for health and Leisure Division City Council $ 77,000 per annum Tree Maintenance Plan. commencing 2007 Act 1991 safety, structural integrity and Communications any remedial work necessary is Arboricultural Division carried out and recorded. Contractor
F8. Waive application fees for Land Encourage more owners of Tauranga Use Consents that are solely registered trees to keep and City Council Short Term and ongoing Resource Management for the purposes of pruning maintain their trees by making it Environmental Act 1991 registered trees cheaper to apply for consent. Consents Division
F9. Provide criteria for cleaning To assist private residents who are Tauranga City up debris created by both substantively affected by falling Council Parks and Contractor $ 25,000 per annum Short Term and ongoing registered and publicly owned leaves, seeds and twigs from Leisure Division trees. registered or publicly owned trees.
53 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F10. To ensure that the visual and physical effects of development, Tauranga City particularly large scale land use Council Tauranga City proposals, are mitigated and Resource Management Council Asset the quality of the environment Environmental Act Development enhanced by recognising the Consents Division Division Develop District Plan objectives, human scale in development, NZ Biodiversity Strategy Policies and Rules to ensure protecting ecological attributes, Tauranga City Existing staff budgets Short term and ongoing Tauranga that large tree planting and mitigating heat island effects from Council Parks and Urban Design Strategy City Council landscaping is included in commercial and industrial areas Leisure Division Environmental development proposals. and large scale car parks. Visually Code of Practice for Consents Division soften the built environment, Tauranga Subdivision Development encourage good visual interaction City Council Developers between private and public space Environmental and provide high amenity/public Policy Division private interfaces. Reduce CO2 effect.
F11. To plan and coordinate control programmes for those plant pests listed in the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy, to preserve the natural Through the Reserve physical form of gullies through Restoration Plans identify and erosion prevention by vegetative prioritise areas of private land methods, to restore the identified Tauranga City NZ Biodiversity Strategy that have large infestations riparian, estuarine, gully and Council Parks and Environment Bay of of plant pests listed in the coastal dune systems into natural Leisure Division Plenty Pest Plant Existing staff budgets Short Term Bay of Plenty Regional Bay of Plenty Regional Pest healthy habitats supporting fish Tangata Whenua Officer Management Strategy and and wildlife, preserve the natural Pest Management border publicly owned reserves character of Tauranga harbour and Strategy or Special Ecological Sites. coast, to provide for sustainable cultural usage of fauna and flora and to provide vegetation diversity and structure by using locally sourced native species where possible.
54 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F12. NZ Biodiversity Strategy Provide assistance to control Tangata Whenua plant pests listed in the Bay To control large noxious weed Environment Medium Term and Bay of Plenty Regional Tauranga City $ 25,000 per annum of Plenty Regional Pest seed banks that border public land Bay of Plenty ongoing Council Parks and Management Strategy of or ecologically sensitive areas. Pest Management Leisure Division private land identified in F11. Strategy
F13. To initiate weed control programmes for those weeds Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Work with Toll Rail to improve listed in the Bay of Plenty Regional Tauranga City To be determined in Bay of Plenty Short Term and Ongoing the overall appearance and Pest Management Strategy, Council Parks and consultation with Toll NZ Biodiversity Strategy Pest Management reduce the number of plant Leisure Division Rail manage the spread of plant pests, Toll Rail Strategy pests present in the rail corridor. enhance landscape and visual amenity
F14. Tauranga City To illustrate good design practice Council Parks and and guide private interests wanting Leisure Division to improve the amenity of their Tauranga Develop landscape design property while ensuring that they Tauranga City Council are cognisant of the effects of what City Council guidelines for informing the Communications Existing staff budgets Medium Term Urban Design Strategy public on their own development they do in terms of planting and Environmental Division of private space landscaping on adjacent properties Policy Division Environment and public space (in particular at Bay of Plenty the interface of private and public Tauranga space. Environment Centre Garden Centres
F15. Tauranga City To promote awareness of the Council Parks and ecological dangers to native Leisure Division vegetation that plant pests Provide education to residential Environment Bay of Tauranga present, encourage participation in NZ Biodiversity Strategy property owners and occupiers Plenty Biodiversity City Council eradication and/or control of plant on the importance of controlling Advice Coordinator Communications pests on private land, restoration Short Term and Ongoing Bay of Plenty Regional or eradicating plant pests, the Division of both private and public gullies Pest Management methods for doing so and the Tauranga DOC and riparian and estuarine systems. Strategy appropriate replacement plants. Environment NZ Landcare Trust Promote best practice techniques Centre Local educational for plant pest clearance and providers species selection for planting. Local Garden Centres
55 What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
F16. Tauranga City To promote educational values Council Parks and and opportunities to Tauranga Leisure Division Encourage private residents to residents where their own NZ Biodiversity Strategy contribute to the sustainable private properties contribute to Environment Bay of management and restoration of sustainable management of public Plenty Biodiversity Existing staff budgets Short Term and ongoing Bay of Plenty Regional Tauranga’s natural environment. land. To support where appropriate Advise Coordinator Pest Management applications for funding for private Strategy residents wishing to revegetate Tauranga their property with native plants. Environment Centre
F17. Encourage participation in Tauranga City Council Parks and Arbor Day tree and shrub Promote the environmental Leisure Division City Investment NZ Biodiversity Strategy plantings by providing benefits and a feeling of opportunities in streets or Partners Short Term and ongoing community ownership of trees Reserve Management reserves and where possible Tauranga through public planting events. Plans provide plants for community City Council Schools planting. Transportation Group
56 G. Good vegetation management
Direction for the city in general is to – • Actively increase the amount of public vegetation in the city • Actively increase the amount of street trees in the city • Actively increase the quantity and quality of local native vegetation on publicly owned or administered land • Trees will be maintained to contract specifications and on a best arboricultural practice basis • Gardens will be maintained to contract specifications and on a best horticultural practice basis • Revegetation areas will be maintained to contract specifications and on a best arboricultural and horticultural practice basis GOOD VEGETATION MANAGEMENT GOOD VEGETATION
5757 What We Will Do What we will do? Why we are doing it? Who will do it? Who will help? What it will cost? When will it happen? Strategy Linkages?
G1. Tauranga City Support the Bay of Plenty To fulfil Council’s obligations under Council Short term and ongoing NZ Biodiversity Strategy Regional Pest Management the Biosecurity Act 1993 Strategy 2003 Environment Bay of Plenty
G2. Tauranga City Where appropriate actively Council participate in programmes to eradicate or control pests and Environment diseases that pose a serious Port of Tauranga To fulfil Council’s obligations under Bay of Plenty ecological or financial threat To be determined on a the Biosecurity Act 1993 Transit NZ Short Term and ongoing NZ Biodiversity Strategy to native and exotic flora (e.g. DOC case by case basis Dutch Elm Disease, Painted Tranzrail Apple Moth, Eucalyptus Leaf MAF Skeletoniser, Asian Gypsy Moth). WBoPDC
G3. Tauranga City Council Tauranga City Transportation Council Parks and Group Existing staff budgets Review and amend Treescape Leisure Division Ensure that Policy is aligned to the Tauranga City 2007 Management Policy and Vegetation Management Strategy Asset Development $15,000 associated Vegetation Management Lead Tauranga City Division costs Policy Council City Tauranga Directions Group City Council Communications Division
58 Amenity values natural or physical qualities and characteristics of an area that contribute to peoples’ appreciation of its pleasantness, aesthetic coherence, and cultural and recreational attributes
Arterial and collector routes any current or future strategic arterial, district arterial or collector road
Glossary Biodiversity the variability among living organisms
Ecosystem any system of organisms interacting with their natural and physical environment
Environment includes ecosystems and their constituent parts, people and communities, all natural and physical resources including streets and parks, amenity values, and social, economic, aesthetic condition
Estuarine tidal and non tidal saline wetlands within the Tauranga harbour
Green corridor vegetated wildlife migration corridors that include rivers and streams, gullies, valleys, streets, parks
Heritage those attributes, from the distant and more recent past, that establish a connection to former times, past homelands, contribute to community identity and sense of place, and spirituality, that people have a responsibility to safeguard for current and future generations
Indigenous vegetation a species of flora which occurs naturally in New Zealand or has arrived in New Zealand without human assistance
Infrastructure includes electrical conductors, telecom lines, gas, water pipes, storm water pipes, wastewater pipes, footpaths, kerbs and roads. Excludes private footpaths and driveways.
Natural heritage native and exotic flora and fauna of Tauranga City, including aquatic and terrestrial natural ecosystems
Open Coastal land from Mauao to Marjorie Lane from the mean high water mark through GLOSSARY to Marine Parade, Ocean Beach Road and Papamoa Beach Road
Plant pest any plant listed in the Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy Operative 003-2008 and subsequent amendments
Public health and safety is to fulfil the community’s interest in assuring conditions in which people can be healthy and safe in their immediate environment
59 Glossary Public land or space land owned or administered by the Council or the Crown on behalf of the community
Residential Intensification Areas redevelopment of existing residential areas to accommodate higher density forms of housing
Riparian margin a strip of land adjacent to a stream, river or wetland
SES Restoration Site remaining representative example of indigenous vegetation or wildlife habitats on particular landform units within Tauranga City
Streetscape the visual appeal of a street and its surrounds
Sustainability meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, nor exhausting natural resources or causing ecological damage
Urban Growth Area planned growth areas for housing and services on the fringes of Tauranga. There are currently five of these – Bethlehem, Papamoa, Welcome Bay, Ohauiti, and Pyes Pa
Vegetation includes any species of plant, tree or shrub, any group of exotic or native trees or shrubs, any native bush, wetland plants
Vegetative landscape the overall mix of private and publicly owned vegetation that form the distinctive identity of an area
Wetland an area that is usually saturated by surface water or groundwater and is characterised by a prevalence of vegetation that is adapted for life in saturated soil conditions e.g. swamps, bogs, marshes, estuaries
60 Appendix A APPENDIX A
Tauranga District Plan – Road Hierarchy
61 Appendix B
Actual and Potential Restoration Sites For further information please refer to ‘Indigenous Biodiversity of Tauranga In Tauranga City City – State of the Environment Reporting 2005, Wildland Consultants.’ 62 Appendix C APPENDIX C
Opportunities for Ecological Restoration - Harbour Margin and Riparian: Special Ecological Sites, Restoration Sites and Potential Restoration Sites For further information please refer to ‘Indigenous Biodiversity of Tauranga City – State of the Environment Reporting 2005, Wildland Consultants.’ 63 Reserve Theme or Character
‘New Zealand Native Tree and Plant Cambridge Rd ex-Landfill site Appendix D Arboretum’
Ohauiti Rd Reserve ‘Orchard’
Merrick Farm ‘Autumn Colours’
Argyle Reserve ‘New Zealand native trees blended with feature exotic planting’
Gate Pa Domain ‘Battle of Gate Pa Commemoration’
Identified reserves with specific Faulkner Park ‘Rare Trees and Plants’
planting themes ‘Rose Garden, Medicinal Trees and Cliff Rd Plants, Non-allergenic Garden’ Note: themes or characteristics listed are to improve on existing themes, to provide a wide variety of trees Bayfair Reserve ‘International Coastal Trees and Garden’ and plants for people to experience and ensure that Tauranga’s heritage over time is reflected, maintained and enhanced through large tree planting. Motiti Reserve New Zealand Coastal Trees and Plants
Waipuna Park ‘Nut Trees’
Robbins Park ‘Rose Gardens’
Yatton Park, Wharepai Domain ‘Large Trees’ Mission Cemetery
Gordon Carmichael Reserve ‘Woodlots’
Papamoa Domain ‘Pinetum’
Matua Saltmarsh ‘Estuarine and Wetland’ 64 Street Existing Tree Species Appendix E Cameron Road Betula pendula silver birch Devonport Road Betula pendula silver birch
Edgecumbe Road Betula pendula silver birch
Elmes Place Melia azederach Persian lilac
Fraser Street Betula pendula silver birch
Grace Road Prunus spp cherry
Hall Road Betula pendula silver birch Identified streets and existing Heron Avenue Melia azederach Persian lilac tree species La Cumbre Alnus acuminata Mexican alder Note: the trees listed have been identified based on a range of issues that individually or collectively may Linton Crescent Banksia integrifolia affect the long-term health of the species. The future replacement of trees will be evaluated on a case- Little John Drive Betula pendula silver birch by-case basis in conjunction with development of Replacement Tree Planting Plans and consistent with Millbrook Drive Betula pendula silver birch Treescape Management Policy. Ngahere Street Betula pendula silver birch
Ngatai Road Betula pendula silver birch
Pah Street Betula pendula silver birch APPENDIX E Ranui Street Betula pendula silver birch
Seventh Avenue Betula pendula silver birch
Tenth Avenue Betula pendula silver birch
Waihi Road Prunus spp cherry
65 Bibliography Boffa Miskell Limited. (2003). Tauranga District Council Strategy for Plant Pest Control Within the Public Road Corridor. Unpublished.
Boffa Miskell Limited. Kemble Associates. (2004). Kopurererua Valley Reserve Development Project Assessment of Environmental Effects. Unpublished.
Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council. (2003). Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy Operative 2003- 2008. Unpublished.
Tauranga City Council. (2005). State of the Environment Tauranga 2004. Tauranga : Environmental Policy Division.
Wildland Consultants Limited. (2005). Indigenous Biodiversity of Tauranga City – State of the Environment Reporting 2005. Unpublished.
66 Tauranga City Council 91 Willow St Private Bag 12022 TAURANGA (07) 577 7000 [email protected] www.tauranga.govt.nz