A 10-year-old issue over 30-year-old trees in the Centrepoint Carpark in Alexandra is finally being resolved by the Central Otago District Council.

Local business partners Russell Ibbotson and Daphne Hull addressed the Vincent Community Board on Tuesday, saying properties in the carpark area had been flooded due to leaves blocking drains on the roof.

As directors of Limerick Properties, the pair said the most serious issue was the damage to buildings, including five instances of flooding to Alex Furniture.

A letter from Russell to council in 2024 said that Limerick Properties had been financially disadvantaged by up to $20,000 in insurance claim excess payments, including reimbursement payments to tenants for damage they sustained as a result of the flooding.

Later that year council removed one tree in the carpark and two in the surrounding area, but in a report to the board it said an offer made in 2019 to help businesses clear their roof gutters hadn’t been taken up.

The trees were planted over 30 years ago to provide shade and amenity to the carpark area. The council report recommended that the community be consulted over the future of the remaining trees, but Cr Martin McPherson suggested removing them ASAP.

“These trees are not fit for purpose.”

Martin said he could see for himself the damage that trees did to the carpark area, having just driven past on the way to the board meeting, following heavy winds overnight.

Limerick Properties director Russell Ibbotson addressed the Vincent Community Board this week about the issues. Photo: file

Russell thanked senior members of staff and Mayor Tamah Alley for helping address the issue, and said it was only through goodwill that there had not been legal action taken against the council - for not acting fairly and responsibly.  

He said a legal opinion had placed the liability of damage to buildings directly on council, and tenants had been almost at the stage of walking out.

Community board members agreed with Martin that the matter was urgent enough to not have to consult the community, and decided to approve the removal of the four Raywood Claret Ash trees.

A landscape plan will also be actioned in consultation with business owners, to replant the area with more suitable trees.

The council will make a final decision at its next meeting on December 17, and the trees removed prior to Autumn 2026.

“Get rid of them and replant with something beautiful,” Daphne said.

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