Up to 70 established trees lining a Cromwell street could be removed under a proposal that council staff say addresses mounting safety risks, damage to public and private property, and unsustainable maintenance costs. 

At a meeting on Tuesday (August 5), the Cromwell Community Board agreed to consult the public on whether to remove the London plane trees along Gair Avenue. 

While staff acknowledged the trees' aesthetic value, they told board members that ongoing “reactive” repairs to the surrounding footpaths and roads were not a sustainable long-term solution. 

“We can’t see what’s going on beneath the ground,” roading manager Paul Fleet told the meeting, suggesting the damage could be more extensive than currently known. 

He said repair work to date had been short-lived.  

“We're getting three or four-years life out of footpath repairs before we have to go back,” he said.  

“We're in the situation now where there are legitimate trip hazards, particularly for people that probably aren’t quite as physically able as the average person.” 

A council report presented at the meeting outlined the plane trees, which are 40 years old, have developed extensive root systems that are now damaging footpaths, kerbs, fences, and private water and wastewater connections – prompting a petition to council from affected local households. 

“Unfortunately, no amount of root pruning or management can completely mitigate these issues,” the report said. 

Damage from roots of trees on Gair Ave in Cromwell prompted a petition to council from affected property owners. Image: The Central App

Previous efforts to manage the problem - including selective tree removal and the installation of root guards – have proven largely ineffective. 

According to the report, the council’s roading team has spent approximately $57,000 on footpath repairs since 2018 to address ongoing trip hazards. 

While the trees themselves are in good condition, the report said relocating them is not viable. 

Removing all 70 trees and grinding the stumps would cost approximately $65,000, with replanting costs, including root guards and hand watering during establishment, expected to be a further $50,000. 

Council staff said the full cost of the project is not budgeted for in the current Long-term Plan, meaning any decision to remove the trees would need to be reflected in a future Annual Plan. 

Under council’s tree policy, tree removal is considered a “last resort” and must meet specific criteria. Public consultation is required where significant trees are proposed to be removed. 

The board voted to proceed with consultation, allowing the Cromwell community to have its say.  

A consultation plan will now be developed. 

Board member and Cromwell councillor Neil Gillespie said he wanted any consultation document to talk “not just about removal but what to do next”. 

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