Issue #977

by Theo Richard - Queenstown resident

At a recent meeting, while discussing the new Stanley St car park options, QLDC councillors voted in favour of cutting 17 trees to allow for 12 more car parks (for a total of 116). In doing so, they went against the council’s own tree policy, costing an additional $300k to the original $1.2 million.

The vote was not unanimous but some of the in-favour comments included: “Taking a common sense approach”, “The trees are going at some time to get the true value of the site”, “People have said ‘we want car parks’”, and “Hoped it would encourage more people back to Tāhuna”. Then Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers wrapped it up stating “Am I going to put a tree in front of someone’s livelihood? No.”

Regardless of being for or against the plans, one can note the lack of arguments in these intellectually poor comments overall. Will a dozen more car parks actually improve the livelihood of CBD businesses significantly? How many locals will they attract? Anyone can figure out their own answer.

And indeed, business representatives, speaking in the public forum, told councillors they’re equally, if not more, concerned and appalled by other CBD policies, especially the hike of outdoor dining fees. Moreover pointing out feeling “exhausted” with the council’s lack of transparency and poor communication. In other words, council can’t see the forest for the trees.

QLDC seems to be acting like money grows on trees for some time now and with parking spaces a reliable source of income, you can see why they want more. They’ve also increased parking fines recently, much to the frustration of locals who’ve reported they’re getting tickets for ridiculously minor infringements. Recent community feedback shows QLDC isn’t perceived as a tree of hope, so you’d think they’d extend an olive branch to locals and businesses, by showing willow-like flexibility about policies. But they fail to nip problems in the bud, and demands have proved fruitless.

Councils are expected to work to provide residents with reliable long term shelter, have an efficient water filtering and distributing system, optimize energy and resources use and distribution, erosion and storm water control, provide health benefits and services, foster cooperation…wait...many things that trees do successfully already (and much more), and for free (rather than a 15.5% salary increase). One could look to the trees for inspiration here rather than chopping them down.

There has been a lot of barking up the council’s tree lately. And while it is important to figure out the roots of the problem for the sake of our local democracy (yet currently compromised by FastTrack consenting), there’s a forest behind it. Local sturdy oaks, volunteers, entrepreneurs, who are dedicated to bring our community to full bloom and to turn over a new leaf. Let’s knock on some wood (and that is my last tree pun I swear) - I suggest the trees from Stanley St, while they still stand...