Dear Marlborough District Council,

Please see Information posted in Tony Hay OIR No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 before proceeding.

My name is Tony Hay and I am the owner, along with my wife, of 42 Lakings Road, Springlands, Blenheim.

Timothy Lovejoy of David James Tree Services (DJTS) in his report said “….. given that there can never be no risk from such large trees there is no practical pruning that will lower this risk”. NO practical pruning that will lower this risk. So why did the Marlborough District Council (MDC) think it necessary to come onto my property without my permission and without adequately informing me beforehand, to carry out pruning of the 2 trees. I suspect that it was purely to paint the picture that the trees were being managed when they were not !

Some further recommendations by DJTS: “Also that the trees be monitored by a suitably qualified arborist for branch and limb failure as resources allow but not less than annually and after prolonged hot dry weather followed immediately by rain events, as well as strong wind events exceeding 80kph”. Blenheim already has these events and NIWA has recorded wind gusts up to 118kph.

This is a total waste of ratepayer’s money since the Council had to setup traffic management by employing Fulton Hogan and employ DJTS arborists to effect this. The bottom line is that the 3 trees should have been removed forthwith !

An article by Chloe Ranford Local Democracy Reporter was published on the Stuff and RNZ website on 6th October 2020 highlighting my frustration https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/427743/bl...

In the article Robin Dunn was quoted as saying … there was "no clear justification" for removing the trees under the council's new tree policy, adopted in June, as all three were healthy.”

This of course highlights my perception that Council is not looking at the bigger picture namely, basic common sense, climate change, health and safety, and responsibility.

My question/s:

Is the Marlborough District Council happy to play with the lives of Marlborough ratepayers or anyone else for that matter visiting the region?

Will the MDC continue to employ arborists at ratepayers’ expense when it is obvious that they take no notice of the recommendations?

Yours faithfully,

Tony Hay