In a statement, Queenstown Lakes District Council property and infrastructure general manager Peter Hansby said an ecological assessment, conducted in line with Department of Conservation protocols, had confirmed there were no nesting birds in the trees, three of which are on council road reserve and two on private land.
Their removal is part of improvement works in Brecon St, which is also part of the wider Queenstown town centre street upgrades.
Mr Hansby said the projects aimed to improve the pedestrian experience and encourage active travel in the town centre — the trees are being replaced by a 4m-wide shared path — with about 500 new trees planned for planting over the next four years.
The council would also consider ‘‘lifting and shifting’’ established trees to alternative locations where feasible, as well as planting new trees across the town centre.
Mr Hansby said Brecon St alone would have 47 new trees planted, and would ultimately become a ‘‘significant pedestrian boulevard’’ linking the town centre with tourism attractions, accommodation and the Lakeview development.
At Lakeview, one-third of existing trees would be retained, and more than 200 natives would be planted.
More trees were planned for removal at Hotops Rise, for another active travel path connecting the Frankton Track to the town centre.
But Mr Hansby said more trees would be planted than were being removed.
They would be ‘‘predominantly native’’, which would also improve the long-term tree canopy of the Queenstown Gardens.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said he was very proud Queenstown was recognised last year as one of New Zealand’s three Tree Cities of the World, in part because of the district’s commitment to effective urban forest management and the work of volunteers, and the council recognised its responsibility to kaitiakitanga.
‘‘However, development and redevelopment means that sometimes individual trees do need to be removed.
‘‘We appreciate the passion our community has for the natural environment and council is committed to ensuring that our urban spaces remain green spaces too,’’ Mr Boult said.
