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Within the Clutha District, roads are managed by two separate roading authorities. Transit New Zealand takes care of the State Highways, while Council maintains all other roads, known as local roads.

With a total roading network of 2916km, the Clutha District has the second largest local roading network in New Zealand. Of that 2916km, 27 % (776km) is sealed and 73% (2140km) is unsealed. Rural roads make up 95% of the total network.

However, roading assets we administer include more than just roads. There are also footpaths, bridges, streetlights and other assets that are associated with roads.

Main roading tasks include road, bridge and culvert maintenance and replacement; reforming and rehabilitating sealed roads; grading and metalling of unsealed roads; footpath maintenance and construction; seal extensions, car park maintenance and construction, street lighting and road safety engineering projects.

Roading Application Forms

Application for applying oil on roads - by applicant

Application for applying oil on roads - by Council

Application to work on the Road Reserve

Motorist Service Signs (Accommodation Service) Application Form

Tourist Signs (Tourist Establishments) Application Form

Non-Spray Register form

Stock Underpass Installation Application Form

Trees Shading or Overhanging Road Reserve Brochure

Introduction

We have produced a brochure providing an explanation of Clutha District Council’s policy in respect to trees on private property or road reserve which become a danger to the general public. It has been designed to help make sure roads are not shaded during winter months, to ensure vegetation does not impede visibility at corners or intersections, and to prevent vegetation from becoming a danger to foot pedestrians.

Council has provisions including our policies on Roadside Planting and Trees on Road Reserve, Rule Tran.7 in our District Plan, and under the Local Government Act 1974, to ensure trees do not become a danger to the general public.

One of the major concerns is that during winter months, roads that have been shaded by trees or vegetation can remain frozen for extended periods of time. Such roads are difficult and dangerous to drive on, and over time this reduces the structural strength of the road surface causing expensive repair costs. Low, overhanging trees and vegetation can also cause difficulties for people using footpaths and, in some cases, for passing motorists. The areas of frozen roads throughout our district, and other problems arising from overhanging trees and vegetation, can be greatly reduced by correct maintenance. Council wishes to work with landowners to sort out any potential problems before they eventuate. It is therefore most practical to address the issue of trees shading roads and overhanging trees at the time of planting, rather than having to remove offending trees at a later date.

Roadside Planting Policy

Council’s Roadside Planting Policy is in place to ensure that roads throughout the district are maintained free of damage caused by shading.

Under the policy, no tree or hedge may be planted to allow it to overhang the legal roadside boundary, without the written consent of Council.

The height of any tree or hedge etc is also limited to ensure the road surface is not shaded between 10am and 2pm on the shortest day of the year.

No tree, hedge, fence etc is permitted if it will obstruct the visibility of traffic at intersections or road corners.

Under this policy, the control of noxious plants adjacent to the area of trees, hedges etc. is also the responsibility of the landowner.

A further provision, (Rule Tran.7), under Council’s District Plan means that production forestry, amenity planting, or shelter belt planting more than two rows deep cannot be planted within 10m of the legal road reserve on the eastern or northern side of any road which has a speed limit of 70km/h or more.

Single trees and shelterbelts have been excluded from this District Plan rule to provide flexibility. However, under the Local Government Act 1974, Council still has the ability to have any problem trees removed.

Trees on Private Property

If trees on private property are considered a danger to the public, then Council will request that you maintain the trees. If you do not, then Council may complete any necessary work and pass the costs onto the landowner.

Under Council policy, a tree is considered a danger to the public when:

·         The tree shades the road surface between 10am and 2pm on the shortest day;

·         It obstructs the visibility of traffic at intersections or road corners;

·         It has branches at a height less than 2m over footpaths;

·         It is an age or condition that significant branches or the tree may fall into a public space while in use by the public;

·         The roots are damaging footpaths or road surfaces and removing the tree is the best long term option.

Trees on Road Reserve

If a tree on Road Reserve is creating a problem, then you can apply to Council to have the tree trimmed or removed.

Council has criteria it uses when determining whether a tree in road reserve may be trimmed or removed and at whose cost. When making a decision, we give consideration to the general principles outlined below:

§         If the tree is not an Amenity Tree and is considered a danger to the public, then Council will remove the tree.

§         If the tree is not an Amenity Tree but is not considered a danger to the public, then the applicant may be able to remove/trim the tree at their own cost. However, the applicant must first seek approval from neighbouring property occupiers. Neighbouring property occupiers are determined to be those properties with boundaries within a 100m radius of the tree.

§         If the tree is an Amenity Tree, and is considered a danger to the public and/or affecting an existing building, then the trimming of the tree will always be considered as the first option.

§         If the tree is an Amenity Tree, and is not considered a danger to the public, then the application will be declined. 

The trimming or removal of trees by Council is undertaken as funding priorities allow and depending on risk to the public. Trimming of the trees is undertaken by Council contractors.

Applicants may arrange the quick removal of a tree if they are prepared to facilitate and pay for the removal themselves.

However, an applicant may not complete any trimming or removal of a tree in road reserve without demonstrating that the person(s) undertaking the activity has an approved OSH Safety Plan, Traffic Management Plan and Public Liability Insurance and have notified possible affected utility authorities e.g. Electricity Network Operator, Telecom, Council Water Services.

The tree shall be removed and the site made good within two weeks of commencement unless agreed otherwise.

If you wish to apply to have a tree removed, please visit your nearest Council office or Service Centre to fill in an application form. Alternatively, application forms are available on our website above.

If you have any questions about anything outlined in this brochure, please do not hesitate to contact us on 03 419 0200