Incentives Could Help Protect Urban Trees

As New Zealand's cities continue to grow, new research suggests incentives could play an important role in helping retain established trees during housing intensification. 

As part of his PhD in Forestry at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), Dr David Pedley investigated whether incentive schemes could encourage property developers to preserve mature trees on development sites.

The study explored the views of property developers involved in housing intensification projects and council staff across New Zealand's major urban centres, recognising that any successful incentive scheme would require support from both groups.

Dr Pedley says the loss of trees on private land is one of the biggest challenges facing local government.

"Urban trees do a huge amount of work in our cities by cooling temperatures, managing stormwater, supporting biodiversity, and improving health and wellbeing. When we lose established trees, particularly mature ones, it takes decades to replace what was there."

Incentives supported

While developers expressed a range of views on retaining trees, most broadly supported the idea of incentives. Councils were also generally receptive, with around 70% of local government respondents agreeing that additional tools or approaches were needed to help manage tree loss during housing intensification.

The research considered a range of possible incentives, including:

• Direct financial payments

• Reduced development contribution fees

• Faster consenting

• Increased development rights

• Market-based certification

However, the findings highlighted a clear difference between the priorities of developers and councils.

Education and technical assistance ranked as the preferred option for councils but was among the least influential incentives for developers. Instead, developers favoured incentives that directly affected project viability, such as reduced development fees.

Those options were generally less attractive to councils because of their potential cost and impact on ratepayers.

All about the balance

Dr Pedley says the research is not about preventing intensification but identifying practical ways to balance development with protecting urban tree cover.

"Intensification can provide benefits, such as more affordable housing and vibrant communities. It's about trying to find ways to be a bit more creative and enable development, while retaining more of our trees along the way."

He believes the findings demonstrate a willingness from both councils and developers to consider new approaches.

"This research shows that there is openness on both sides to try something different. Although incentives are not a replacement for regulation, there is a need for more innovative approaches, with an initial focus on low-cost incentive options.

"It's about getting some small incremental wins, opening the conversation between councils, developers and financial institutions that may be willing to support tree retention for the wider public benefits trees provide."