We would like to see a reduction in the number of trees removed and an increase in the extent of our tree canopy on Kapiti Coast
TreeSpace Kapiti’s vision is for the urban areas of Kapiti to be distinguished by the predominance of the natural environment over structures. We note that with the new laws on intensification of housing that trees are being felled and wetlands are being built on.
Reasons for the protection of trees and open spaces .
They provide many environmental services at no cost, namely:
• Resilience to climate change. ‘Spongey cities’ are safe in floods and droughts. Trees and open spaces mop up and retain water. Trees provide shade and cooling.
• Trees anchor soil thus preventing slips.
• Trees and open spaces enhance the beauty of towns , which leads to the wellbeing of their inhabitants, and the attraction to walk or cycle.
• Trees capture gaseous and particulate pollutants, enhancing health.
• Trees and open spaces support biodiversity, especially if arranged in corridors.
• Trees and open spaces capture carbon. Kapiti has a climate change emergency. It is especially important to retain mature trees.
Short term goals for District Plan
Accept requests for registration of notable trees.
Maintain a register of notable trees in urban areas which cannot be felled without permission of KCDC arborist. These should include mature trees both native and exotic. Trees which are not indigenous to Kapiti should also be included, such as the large puriri, kauri and pohutakawa, and other trees that will soon spread to our region due to climate change. The size of notable trees needs to be clarified.
The concept of Significant Natural Areas needs to include water uptake, carbon capture and soil stability, as well as biodiversity.
Move to protect mature trees on public and private land.
Encourage developers to retain trees and build around them in new developments , e.g., using a competition to house the most people with least disturbance to the natural environment. If a tree must be cut 5 more should be planted and cared for.
Preserve open spaces especially wetlands, peat areas and flood prone areas from development.
Employ at least 2 more trained staff to care for existing urban forests and establishing more.
Increase weed control on public land.
Establish tiny forests (Miyawaki) on spare land. Establish and care for road-side plantings.
Re-establish greenest street competition.
Goals for Long Term Plan
Ascertain and increase the extent of canopy cover in Kapiti’s towns. Develop a comprehensive policy for retention and increase of urban trees and open spaces . Monitor this.
Maintain greenspaces between the towns so that they do not turn into a large conurbation, e.g., like Papamoa in Tauranga.
Create an Urban Forest Strategy similar to that adopted by Auckland CC . Within this we would like to see adopted the 3, 30, 300 plan, i.e., each dwelling has a view of 3 good-sized trees, 30% canopy , cover for each township, each dwelling is within 300 m walking distance from a forest or open space.
Increase urban biodiversity by consideration of bird corridors etc.
Monitor biodiversity in urban areas.
Work with and instruct developers in methods of building which retain and replenish the natural environment, i.e., enlightened development.
Educate citizens on the importance of trees and open spaces for flood and temperature resilience, carbon capture, beauty, biodiversity, noise and pollution reduction, and well-being.
Support the government’s Biosecurity Credit System .
Establish requirements of central government departments, like NZTA/Waka Kotahi, to maintain minimum beautification standards within our region. Oppose consent applications that do not include such minimum standards.