A Queenstown builder has paid a high price for the illegal removal of trees on Council land, Queenstown Lakes District Council parks manager Gordon Bailey said.

"We became aware in August last year that a construction company had felled trees on Council reserve. The removal of the trees resulted in a vastly improved view to the lake for the property above," Mr Bailey said.

Construction company owner Warwick Jenkins confirmed he had removed the trees.

"We then entered into an agreement to offer a diversion, which Mr Jenkins agreed to," Mr Bailey said.

Had Mr Jenkins not agreed, the Council intended to refer the matter to the police, Mr Bailey said.

"The diversion has meant that while Mr Jenkins may have escaped prosecution, he has produced a full landscaping plan and paid for replanting and paid for the cost of the investigation. The total cost is in the area of $8000," Mr Bailey said.

In addition Mr Bailey provided the Council with the following statement for publication.

 

To the community of Queenstown,

On 4 August 2005 I removed pine trees from land owned by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. I would like to publicly apologise for this act as I had no authority to remove them and it was incorrect for me to cut down the above mentioned trees. Thank you.

 Yours faithfully

Warrick Jenkins.

 

"Not only has this given us a satisfactory outcome it is also a sobering reminder to the community that the illegal cutting down of trees will not be tolerated and this type of action will be pursued, either way, at a cost to the perpetrator," Mr Bailey said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499.

By: Sarah