A recommendation by Queenstown Lakes District Council staff the council cut down 18 fir trees on the One Mile Reserve to make way for a multi-level apartment complex is likely to be opposed by a local action group.
Lakes Property Services property manager Colette Farrer said the application to remove the trees had been opposed by Thompson St Action Group members, who she said "feel very passionately" about the issue.
But, while the council should "consider the public's reaction to the proposed tree removal", she has recommended it go ahead, subject to a $100,000 bond to ensure appropriate work is completed before the development is started and maintained for three years.
One Mile Apartments Ltd is seeking to undertake various works on council-owned or administered land, including tree removal and excavations on the adjacent One Mile Reserve, as well as on the prominent western slopes above the town and Lake Wakatipu.
It also wants to install temporary anchors and hoardings, build a walkway to Queenstown and is seeking an easement on council land.
The developers had indicated they wanted to replace the fir trees with low-growing native vegetation.
While the action group, represented by Bryce Whiting, maintained QLDC did not have the power under the Reserves Act to make the decision to remove the trees, Ms Farrer disagreed.
After a presentation to the June meeting of the community services committee and consulting the Reserves Act, she was satisfied the council was within its jurisdiction.
"We have since consulted the Reserves Act and, under section 42.2, trees or bush on recreation reserve can be removed when the administering body [the council] is satisfied that the removal is necessary for the maintenance of the reserve, or for the management and preservation of other trees and bush on the reserve, or for the safety of persons on or near the reserve," she said.
The council should also accept an access easement to be created, at the applicant's expense, and approve the request for the placement of hoardings and installation of temporary anchors, she said.
However, an application for the excavation should be declined "as the visual impact of the works would be deemed too significant", she said.
