Details

We work with Orion (the region’s electricity network owner) to address conflicts between Council-owned trees and overhead powerlines across the city. The Council is required to ensure that trees on Council land comply with the NZ Electricity (Hazards from trees) Regulations. Trees are considered non-compliant when they are within the prescribed clearance distances of overhead powerlines and when ongoing pruning may present potential health and safety issues, or damage to the network.

Where non-compliant trees are identified, we investigate alternative pruning options and/or engineering solutions, such as running powerlines underground, to retain as many trees as possible.

Some powerline network changes are possible in your area, and this work will be completed in the coming months. Due to changes to overhead line configurations, many other trees can be retained. However, after extensive investigation, we have found that there are no suitable engineering or pruning solutions for a number of trees on Emmett and Riselaw streets, which require removal. This includes:

· 17 street trees on Emmett Street (14 due to non-compliance, 3 due to other safety concerns).

o The non-compliant trees are located approximately adjacent to property numbers 5, 7, 9(x2), 19, 45, 91, 93, 95, 123/125, 139, 141, 149 and 151.

o The additional 3 trees are located at approximately 10/12, 14 and 94.

· 3 on Riselaw Street.

o The trees along Riselaw Street are located approximately adjacent to property numbers 37, 46, and 57.

Replacement planting: We always endeavour to plant new trees in areas surrounding where trees have been removed. Further work will be undertaken to determine other viable planting sites in the surrounding area for the next planting season (May to August 2025), pending suitable available spaces and species.

If you are not the owner of this property it would be appreciated if you would also pass this leaflet on to the owner for their information.

Traffic management: Emmett Street will be periodically closed during this time to ensure a safe work area as trees are being removed. Signposted detours will be in place during closures. For your safety, please kindly follow any signage and/or the instructions of our Traffic Management team on-site while works are under way. We will endeavour to keep any traffic disruptions to a minimum.

Timing of the work / road closures: The timing and location of the work, and closures, is planned as follows:

· 20–21 January: 6 removals at 5, 7, 9(x2), 10/12, 14 Emmett Street.
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between Allison Place and Shirley Road.

· 22 January: 1 tree removal at 19 Emmett Street and 1 tree pruning at 23 Emmett Street.
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between Allison Place and Riselaw Street.

· 23–24 January: 4 removals at 91, 93, 94, 95 Emmett Street.
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between Orion Street and Acheson Avenue.

· 27 January: 1 removal at 45 Emmett Street (on the corner of Praem Place).
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between Praem Place and Orontes Street.

· 28 January: 3 removals at 123/125, 139 and 141 Emmett Street.
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between Bellbrook Crescent and Orcades Street.

· 29 January: 1 removal at 151 Emmett Street. 5 February: 1 removal at 149 Emmett Street.
A road closure will be in place on Emmett Street, between the two entries/exits to Bellbrook Crescent.

· 30-31 January: 3 removals at 37, 46, and 57 Riselaw Street. A partial road closure is required.

If weather conditions cause delay to the works, we will complete them between 10–14 February.

Power supply: To allow for this work to be completed safely, the power will be disconnected on certain days. Orion, the network owner, will provide more details on these planned power outages to affected customers.

Parking: If no-parking cones are placed outside your property, please temporarily park your vehicle elsewhere for the short period of time we require the area. Please refrain from shifting no-parking cones.

Access requirements: If you have any specific access requirements e.g. nurse/doctor visits or planned works at your property, please contact the Treetech representative, whose phone number is provided at the top of this notice.

Safety: Safety is our priority when completing this work. To keep everyone safe, we ask that you please keep clear of our work sites, including children and pets.

Increased noise: There will be some noise associated with this work, as it will involve the use of a large chipper. The use of loud machinery will be managed carefully, to minimise disruption.

Contractors on-site: In addition to Treetech, you may also see Independent Line Services and Smith Cranes on-site during the works.

Follow up works: As part of our regular maintenance schedule, we will complete additional pruning during the summer period to address small branches near powerlines and/or dead/dangerous branches.

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