Arboricultural Assessment

Transcription

1 1 Arboricultural Assessment Site Address: Prepared for: Purpose of Report: 285G Manawaora Road, Russell Owen Burn Green Group cc: Peter Thornton Assessment of the Proposed Jetty Construction, Waipohutukawa Bay Report Compiled by: Matthew Paul Signed: Date of Report: 19 September 2017 Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

2 2 1.0 Introduction Peers Brown Miller Ltd has been commissioned by Green Group to prepare this arboricultural assessment in relation to the proposed construction of a new jetty which would service both 285G & 285H Manawaroa Road, Russell. The new jetty would extend between the two bays in which the properties are located and would travel around the head of a rocky outcrop. A number of Pohutukawa trees, ranging in age from semi-mature to mature, are noted as overhanging this outcrop. The root system of these trees is located further to the south - in the area of soil above the high tide mark. No roots were observed to be growing in the vicinity of the new jetty. The ground on which the jetty is to be constructed is noted as being predominantly sandstone and rock. The trees affected by this proposal are divided into two main groups - the larger being to the east and the smaller group further to the west. In order to construct the jetty and then provide for adequate clearance, pruning and removal of selected branches from these trees are proposed. No tree removal is proposed as part of this proposal. 2.0 Plan References A design plan set has been produced by Total Marine Services Ltd which includes engineering plans for the proposed jetty. A set of photomontages which include viewpoint locations and images of the proposed jetty has also been provided by U6 Photomontages Ltd. Information contained in these plans has been drawn upon to assist with this arboricultural assessment. The plans include: 0163 Waipohutukawa Bay - General Arrangement 0163 Waipohutukawa Bay - General Arrangement Section AA Waipohutukawa Bay Photomontage Images 1-4 Waipohutukawa Bay Photomontage Viewpoint locations and Image Data The above-referenced plans give an outline of the proposed works in general terms. Further images demonstrating aspects of the works affecting trees are outlined in the body of the report. 3.0 Relevant Statutory Framework Vegetation Protection The vegetation protection rules that this assessment gives regard to are those outlined in the Far North District Plan. The specific items are outlined below: Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

3 3 Far North District Plan Waipohutukawa Bay is subject to the classification of a General Coastal Zone. The area in which the jetty is proposed for construction is also covered by an Outstanding Landscape Feature overlay as identified in the Far North District Council Map tool Far North Maps. It is noted that there are no specific rules that reference the pruning of protected vegetation, as the rules outlined in the district plan (namely those outlined in Section 12 of the District Plan) reference Clearance only. However, the Policies outlined in Section of the plan, specifically Section to Section , reference the impacts on the alteration of the natural values and the overall amenity effects of an application for resource consent. Therefore, these policies have been cited and drawn upon when assessing the impacts of the proposed pruning works on the wider Outstanding Natural Feature. In addition to those policies, Section (Indigenous Vegetation Clearance in Outstanding Natural Landscapes) and Section (Indigenous Vegetation Clearance in the General Coastal Zone) were also versed for completeness. Arboricultural Assessment 4.1 Introduction As aforementioned, a new jetty is proposed for construction to service 285G & 285H Manawaroa Road. The area proposed for the jetty construction is located at the head of a outcrop of land that extends outwards between two bays. The majority of vegetation growing adjacent to the outcrop is located further to the south - with a grouping of predominantly semi-mature Pohutukawa trees overhanging from the cliff above. In order to construct the new jetty, a number of tree branches would require removal to achieve the required clearance from the new jetty - which is dictated by the required jetty height (to be established in order to provide adequate clearance for high tide and wave surge, etc.) The main grouping of larger Pohutukawa is a group of approximately three trees, two of which are well established semi-mature specimens. A number of large structural branches hang downwards and originate from the rocky outcrop to the south on which the bases of these trees are located (the trees are anchored in a small area of soil at the edge of the cliff - a typical growth habit of the species). As such, the root zone is located well away from the area in which the jetty would be constructed. Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

4 4 Fig. 1 View of the subject trees from the eastern aspect. Fig. 2 View from further east (central beach area) Based on onsite investigation and a study of the provided plan set, it is estimated that some structural branch clearance would be required in order to provide adequate construction space and to ultimately provide overhead clearance for the completed jetty. The estimated extent of branch removal is illustrated in the photographs provided in the following sections. Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

5 5 4.2 Proposed Pruning Works Trees 1-3 It is estimated that approximately 30% of the overall canopy structure of these two trees would require removal in order to establish the required heights. Based on the overall canopy shape and general health, it is anticipated that this amount of pruning would be acceptable from an arboricultural perspective and would be unlikely to adversely impact the two trees health or structure wise, provided all works were undertaken by a suitably experienced and competent arborist. Fig. 3 Estimated Branches to be pruned (approximately 30%) area of vegetation to be removed to allow for jetty Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

6 6 Fig. 4 Estimated height of clearance required to construct Jetty Trees 4-6 Trees 4-6 are located further to the west nearer to 285H Manawaroa Road. This grouping of trees is also semi-mature in age and is also growing on a similar outcrop to Trees 1-3. Similarly, pruning of branches will be required to allow for the formation of the new jetty. This portion of the jetty would be at a lower elevation than the section adjacent to Trees 1-3. The pruning of branches mainly affect two of the three trees - with the pruning of branches ranging from mm proposed in order to provide adequate clearance. It is anticipated that, like the previous section, the pruning would amount to approximately 30% of the overall canopy. In terms of arboricultural best practice, it is anticipated that this extent of pruning would be acceptable from an arboricultural perspective, provided the works are undertaken by a suitably experienced arborist. Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

7 7 Fig. 5 Extent of the proposed pruning of Trees 4-6 Fig. 6 Estimated end result of branch removal Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

8 8 5.0 Tree Protection Methodology This section outlines a set of appropriate works methods and tree protection measures that should be adopted and put in place to ensure that adverse effects on the protected trees/vegetation within the project area are minimised and/or avoided. (a) The consent holder shall engage a worksite supervisory arborist (works arborist). (b) Prior to any works commencing on the site in the vicinity of any of the protected trees, a meeting should be held at the site to discuss all issues pertaining to the protection of the trees and to gain a common understanding of the relevant conditions of consent in that regard. Present at the meeting should be; The consent holder The site supervisor or project manager The tree pruning works arborist The worksite supervisory arborist The contactor s representative (c) The works arborist should broadly oversee the construction of the jetty where within the driplines of the protected trees (d) Any pruning outside that aforementioned in this report should be discussed with and approved of by the works arborist, prior to any works commencing. (e) No machinery or equipment or materials should be stored or deposited within the dripline area of any protected tree within the site, except where there is no other reasonable alternative. All machinery is to be stored on plywood, or similar, at a minimum thickness of 12mm when a hard surface is not available. (f) If any materials do need to be deposited within the dripline of any tree or lower canopy vegetation, a sheet of plastic or a tarpaulin should be laid down first. Any storage areas to be utilised by the contractor shall be in clear space where possible. (g) If any pruning or lower canopy vegetation removal is to be undertaken in order to deliver materials or provide clearance on either side of the track, this pruning must be kept to a minimum, discussed and approved by the appointed works arborist, and undertaken by a suitably experienced arborist. (h) All pruning works are to be discussed and sighted by the supervisory arborist. All tree works are to be undertaken by a suitably experienced arborist to be approved by the worksite supervisory arborist. (i) All pruning to be clearly marked and defined in consultation with the design engineer, works contractor and supervisory arborist to ensure the extent of works do not vary to a point where an adverse effect would arise. Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

9 9 (j) Compliance with all conditions of consent relating to tree protection would be monitored by the appointed works arborist - with the detail of any visit and communication being logged. The completed log would be provided to the consent holder at the completion of the project to serve as a compliance report. 6.0 Conclusion An arboricultural assessment has been undertaken in relation to the proposed pruning of Pohutukawa trees in order to construct a new jetty. This report has been prepared to accompany the resource consent application for this project. It provides the information to confirm that the works can comply with the policies and rules outlined in Section 12.1 & 12.2 of the Far North District Plan. Due to the sensitive nature of the works, additional tree protection measures are recommended in order to best manage impacts on the aforementioned Pohutukawa trees. The variety of activities that are proposed to take place within the driplines of the various trees, along with the proposed pruning works, can be managed in such a way that any adverse effect on the health and stability of any protected tree can be restricted to less than minor. This would especially be the case if the tree protection recommendations outlined in this report are adopted as contract specifications of the project. Please feel free to contact me on or via matt.paul@peersbrownmiller.co.nz if any further information is required. Matthew Paul Consultant Arborist Peers Brown Miller Ltd Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

10 10 Appendix A Tree Illustrations Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

11 11 Trees 1-3 Trees 4-6 Fig.7 View of Trees from Sea Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

12 12 Fig. 8 New proposed Jetty design Peers Brown Miller Ltd P. O. Box Dominion Road, Auckland 1446 Ph

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