Council and its contractors will continue with the removal of large Oak trees in Logan and Campbell Streets in Tokoroa from Monday 29 August.
After the removal of the trees in Bridge St back in January due to an incident where a tree fell in high winds and sparked concerns for public safety, Council made the decision to bring down the near 70-year-old trees throughout the CBD area.
“This tree felling project is a continuation of the earlier removals on Bridge St this year,” said Phil Parker, Council’s Parks and Reserves Manager.
“Back in December Council had resolved to remove the Bridge St trees and planned the remaining trees in Logan and Campbell Streets would be felled in the 2022/23 financial year – which we are now currently in.”
Council knows that some in the community will be disappointed by this, but we now know the risk of leaving the Oaks in place is too high a risk with the need to ensure public safety being paramount
Timber from the felled trees will be given to the local Lions Club along with nearby wood merchants. Replanting of appropriate tree species will be part of any future design plans being considered by Council for the wider Tokoroa CBD environment.
These tree works will be done during the daylight hours between 6am-6pm from Monday 29 August through to Saturday 10 September (weather dependent.)
These works will force road closures on these streets which has been broken down in three stages. The first closure sees Campbell St closed from the Bridge St intersection to the Logan St roundabout, followed by the closure of Logan St between Campbell St roundabout and Mannering St roundabout, and finishing up with the closure of Logan St from the Mannering St roundabout to Leith Place.
All emergency services will have access when required. The public are advised if they need to visit the Police please access the station via the alleyway between the Tokoroa District Court and Kiwibank.
Council and its contractors thank the public for their understanding and cooperation with relation to this project.
ENDS: 346 words.
