Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

One of the most contentious topics elected members deal with is trees.

This week a decision was made at our council meeting to honour a legal covenant made between the Tilby family and council.

The legal document includes a three-foot height restriction. As result of the council meeting, a pohutakawa tree will be removed.

There are kauri trees growing in the CBD. At some stage in future, a council will have to remove them. Kauri trees are beautiful, but if they're not grown in the right environment they will outgrow their location.

If tree species and locations are carefully selected, given Tauranga's climate is conducive to fast growth, then hopefully we can reduce the number of complaints council receives regarding trees.

Council received a petition for a request to have a water funpark at Leisure (Moturiki) Island.

Moturiki is an outstanding natural feature and landscape under the City Plan and therefore the project would be inappropriate in this location.

The area is also home to little blue penguins.

The idea could be considered at a different location in our city, through a submission to the Annual Plan.