Chris McBride and Graeme MacRae. Photo: Marika Khabazi / RNZ
Residents at an central Auckland housing complex say the planned removal of native trees in front of their homes feels like a violation.
Chris McBride and Graeme MacRae are neighbours at the Freemans Park complex.
The pair first planted the patch of tī kouka, hibiscus, and nikau trees 25 years ago. They had grown into a thick bush they described as a "micro urban forest".
"We planted them with the approval of the body corporate committee at the time," MacRae said.
"We planted them at our own expense and we've maintained them at our own expense ever since."
A tree set for removal. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
But earlier this week, the Freemans Park Body Corporate booked arborists to cut down the trees and replace the bush with a line of cherry trees.
"What we're going to end up with is a few flowering cherry trees and some camellia bushes that provide us with a Stepford Wives-type of environment," McBride said.
"You know, homogenous and uninviting, uninspired.
"It's a very popular style in downmarket old folks' homes and crematoriums all over the world," MacRae added.
He described a wave of emotions while waiting for the demolition crew to arrive.
"[We're feeling] all of the things people feel when their homes are violated," he said.
"And it's a violation of good urban design."
He described the consultation process as "superficial".
"The design had already been done and the decisions had already been made, so the feedback was basically ignored."
Chris McBride. Photo: Marika Khabazi / RNZ
A spokesperson for the Freemans Park Body Corporate disputed that claim.
"These two residents' views were heard and considered, and adjustments were made to the plan to address concerns that they raised," the spokesperson said.
"But the committee, after consultation with all unit owners, made a balanced decision in line with expert guidance and long-term maintenance needs to replant this common property area."
The spokesperson said the bush had become overgrown and was encroaching on the footpath, which was a shared space for the complex's 201 residents.
"Under the Unit Titles Act, the body corporate is responsible for maintaining the common property on behalf of all owners.
"Following two reviews by independent landscape experts, two community meetings, and extensive correspondence, the committee has decided to replace the current mix of plantings with a coherent, low-maintenance scheme."
The body corporate noted that existing plants were being transplanted when possible so the residents could re-use them.
The spokesperson said an exact date hadn't been set for the removal, but it would occur in the "coming days or weeks".
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