Masterton Residents Voice Tree Policy Concerns

Masterton residents have expressed strong concerns over the future of the town’s trees following the controversial felling of large trees along Queen Street to make way for an infrastructure upgrade.

The tree removal, which occurred prior to the Masterton District Council’s street tree policy hearings, sparked public debate about balancing urban development with the preservation of mature trees valued by the community.

At the hearings, 74 submitters provided feedback on the town’s tree management, with 16 appearing in person to voice their views.

Robyn Prior, a local resident and gardener, emphasized Masterton’s deep connection to its treescape, describing the town as one of gardeners who have developed significant botanical knowledge through hands-on experience.

Prior urged the council to heed expert advice, warning that ignoring the community’s broad base of expertise would be detrimental to effective tree policy.

Two experts who submitted testimony were spatial designer Kirsten Browne and arboriculturalist Simon Miller.

Browne pointed to successful urban tree policies in other regions that include clear, measurable targets, such as a 10% native canopy goal, and cautioned that the current draft policy lacks provisions to prevent similar tree felling incidents from recurring.

Miller stressed that trees should be regarded as critical infrastructure, expressing surprise that such a fundamental concept still requires debate in Masterton after being widely accepted elsewhere for decades.

The tree felling on Queen Street was unrelated to the ongoing policy review but has intensified community scrutiny of how the council manages urban trees amid infrastructure needs.

The hearings are part of a broader consultation process aimed at shaping a long-term street tree policy that reflects both environmental values and practical town planning requirements.