Some of Invercargill's most prominent trees are set to be removed due to safety concerns from October’s storm, following a recommendation by Invercargill City Council’s Infrastructure and Growth Committee.

At its meeting today, the Committee voted to recommend the removal of the macrocarpa trees from two sections of the Town Belt, at the intersection of Elles Rd and Tay St, and on Queens Dr at the corner of Don St.

Infrastructure and Growth Committee Chair Alex Crackett said the decision ensured the community’s safety was prioritised. “These are some of our biggest trees next to some of our busiest streets,” she said.

“Our people are our greatest treasure. Ensuring everyone is safe in their city is a key driver for all of our decision-making.”

The future of the large trees had been called into question after the extreme winds in October caused a 25-metre-high tree to fall onto the street.

“While the likelihood of another tree coming down is low, the consequences could be catastrophic,” Crackett said. “The only way to completely eliminate the risk is to have the trees removed.”

Manager Parks and Recreation Caroline Rain said Council recognised the ecological and amenity value of the trees, but this needed to be balanced with the safety of the community.

“We will refresh the reserve, guided by our Tree Plan, and make sure it remains a valued inner-city public space,” she said. “It’s about having the right tree, in the right place, for the right purpose.”

Crackett said feedback from the community clearly favoured removing the trees as the simplest and safest option. “The wider community has indicated quite clearly that their preference is to remove any trees that pose a threat to public safety,” she said.

“Today’s decision is about taking action to keep the public safe.” The estimated overall cost of the tree removal would be approximately $500,000, although a portion of this cost could be offset by selling any timber suitable for milling.

A second option – to retain the trees and manage them using emergency controls, including road closures during severe weather events – was also considered by Committee members.

However, the report noted that this option would mean a residual risk remained. “Ultimately, public safety has to come first,” Crackett said.

A local state of emergency was declared throughout the Southland region, including in Invercargill and Bluff, after a severe wind event struck on 23 October.

Thousands were left without access to critical infrastructure, including electricity, for extended periods following the storm. The state of emergency was lifted on 7 November.

The Committee’s recommendation to remove and replant the trees on Elles Rd and Queens Dr would be voted at the next full Council meeting on 16 December.

If the recommendation is agreed upon at Council level, the next steps would involve engaging a contractor to remove the trees, completing a landscape design for the affected sections of the Town Belt and replanting the area.