May 11 2010
A tree blocking views of the world rowing championships course at Lake Karapiro looks set to face the chop.
Waipa District Council’s policy committee today recommended that a Douglas Fir tree at Mighty River Domain be felled to allow clear spectator viewing of the championships later this year.
Council Facilities Manager Tony Roxburgh said it was rare for staff to recommend that healthy trees be removed. But this was a unique situation, he said.
“Removing healthy, undamaged trees doesn’t fit within normal Council policy because district-wide, we put such a strong emphasis on our environment,” Mr Roxburgh said.
“But the tree will significantly impede viewing of the rowing course and will also block views of large television screens at the course. Given the thousands of spectators who will be flocking to the Lake Karapiro, and given the international significance of the event, we believe that in this instance, the best thing to do is remove it.”
Mr Roxburgh stressed the tree was neither a native specimen nor historically significant. The recommendation will be considered at the Council meeting on May 25.
--ends--