Tree-felling at exclusive golf course divides members, neighbours

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

A plan to cut down about 200 trees on an exclusive Christchurch golf course has triggered an emotive debate, dividing club members and residents.

Christchurch Golf Club has already started felling the trees, mostly pine and macrocarpa, at its course in Shirley after consulting arborists and its course committee. General manager Mike Hadley acknowledged the removal was a sensitive issue – some club members lobbied to retain them – but said the club wanted to restore the course to its links origins.

Links courses tend to be on or near a coast and feature dunes, undulating greens and few, if any, trees.

Mark Belton, managing director of Permanent Forests NZ Ltd, which specialises in growing forests for carbon sequestration and conservation, said the club could have consulted nearby residents about the tree removal.

“Urban planning and urban forests in National Park Christchurch needs to be carefully considered to get the right trees in the right places to create habitats for birds but that don't cause issues for neighbourhoods."

Read more here and read more about the campaign to make Christhcurch a National Park City here.