AI deployed to track declining tree cover

Artificial-intelligence (AI) technology is being used in a pioneering trial to assess treecanopy coverage in the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area.

Auckland Council’s Urban Ngahere (Forest) unit hopes using AI to more precisely interpret aerial photography will improve its understanding of tree distribution on both public and private land in the board area.

Earlier surveys have put tree coverage at 16 per cent, below the average of 18 per cent for urban boards and well shy of the ambitious citywide target of 30 per cent.

Howell Davies, Urban Ngahere senior adviser, told board members at a workshop last week that the Auckland-first trial would provide a picture of changes since the last survey work, comparing 2013 and 2016-18.

The area’s tree-canopy coverage on private land – which was just over half of the area’s total coverage – fell by 1.15ha between 2013 and 2016-18.

Subsequent housing intensification was accelerating the loss, particularly in some neighbourhoods, he said.

“Future development… would pose a significant threat to urban ngahere, especially tall trees, leading to long-lasting environmental impacts and loss of tree canopy cover.”

Davies said tree-planting in parks and on roadsides had helped contribute to a small amount of total canopy-coverage growth in some suburbs.

Work using AI had begun to measure changes in tree-canopy cover between 2017 and 2023.The case study using this new technique would be reported back to the local board in October. More data would be taken in 2024. The area was the first in Auckland to be assessed with the new technology, he said.

Use of drones for photography will be compared with the former use of lidar (light detection and ranging), using laser technology. A recommendation will be made to council next year on whether to adopt the AI method more widely.

Davies said Devonport-Takapuna was chosen for the trial because it was in the middle range for tree coverage across the city.

Asked if the results would capture tree loss caused by this year’s summer floods and slips, Davies said the aerial photography for the survey had been done shortly before the major weather events.

Local-board members noted there had been significant loss of coastal trees, including those damaged by storms and removed later.

Davies highlighted the absence of significant large trees in the area. Devonport-Takapuna was among less than half of Auckland’s boards without trees above 30m tall. But it

Landscape Design in Devonport

Whether you are planning a garden refresh or a full renovation, let us work with you to define your vision so that you can proceed with a plan. We can also help with construction.

Call Steve on 021 345 694 steve@naturalgardens.co.nz www.naturalgardens.co.nz had a growing number in the 3-5m range. Davies outlined to the board the regional Urban Ngahere Strategy adopted in 2019, aimed at adapting to climate change and making the city more liveable.

Canopy coverage over 30 per cent was common in European cities, he said.

Snapshot in time

Tree-cover statistics broken down for the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board area (shown in the map above) come from the council surveys taken in 2013 and 2016-2018. New results are expected later this year.

• Westlake and Takapuna west have the lowest tree coverage, followed by Forrest Hill west, Milford west, and Belmont, Milford central, Bayswater and Hauraki.

• Takapuna south, Devonport, Cheltenham, Narrow Neck and Takapuna north have the highest coverage.

• Tree coverage fell fastest in Castor Bay – from 25 per cent to 23 per cent.

• Public-park tree coverage increased from 24 per cent to 27 per cent.

• Tree coverage along roads increased from 11 per cent to 13 per cent.

• Kaipatiki has 30 per cent tree-canopy coverage, partly due to its steeper, less easily developed terrain.

Briefs Library reprieve

Seven-days-a-week library services will continue in Devonport and Takapuna, it was confirmed at the DevonportTakapuna Local Board’s monthly meeting last week. The Devonport library was closed last Thursday 20 July, but only due to unforeseen staffing issues. Evening hours in Takapuna, now open until 7.30pm on Thursdays, are not guaranteed, but the decision will be an operational one, with a schedule of 56 hours service over seven days now locked in. Reducing library hours was raised as a cost-cutting measure in the proposed Mayoral Budget.

BID grants trimmed

Devonport town centre is getting $10,000 less from the DevonportTakapuna Local Board towards the Business Improvement District (BID) managed by the Devonport Business Association. Like the Milford and Takapuna centre BIDs, it will receive $20,000 for the 2023-24 year, to be used to undertake one significant event. Takapuna’s budget has been cut the most, down by $17,000 from $37,000 last year. Milford’s reduction is the same as Devonport’s.

Black-flag alert

A 12-hour black-flag warning was raised for Devonport Beach last Wednesday due to a dry-weather overflow on Victoria Rd. Watercare crew found the overflow had likely been caused by debris dumped in a manhole. The debris was removed with the help of a vacuum truck and sewer lines flushed.

In the swim

Replacement pontoons off Cheltenham Beach and Stanley Bay have been funded to the tune of $45,000 this financial year, although they may not be ready to be installed by council staff in time for summer.

Green vote

Restoring Takarunga Hauraki (RTH) will receive $70,000 to fund its work on the Devonport peninsula. Its northern counterpart, Pupuke Birdsong Project, will receive the same amount. A focus for RTH will be waterways that feed into Ngataringa Bay and Shoal Bay. The DTLB’s environmental services work programme will also include $20,000 towards Wairau Estuary enhancement work.

Café & Retail Manager Devonport Naval Base

Who are we?

We have three café / retail sites at Devonport Naval base where we provide fantastic coffee and food. We also retail a range of clothing and an assortment of food and non-food items.

Why join us?

As our Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the operation, including ensuring exceptional customer service, managing inventory and supplies, developing and implementing marketing and promotional activities, and creating a positive work environment.

About you

We are looking for someone with a strong background in coffee and hospitality. You will need excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work under pressure. You will require a high level of skill in Word and Excel. The opportunity requires working full-time 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. All applicants must be a New Zealand resident or possess a New Zealand working visa.

How To Apply

Please send your CV to Huyen.phan@compass-group.co.nz with Subject “Café and Retail Manager”