What is happening with the Sandflat Road pines in Cromwell, Central Otago?
In this episode, we break down the full story behind the proposed tree felling at Sandflat Road and what it means for Cromwell’s off-leash dog walking areas, community wellbeing and public space planning.
Joined by Judy Cockeram, Dr Sarah Jones and Eddy Raffles, we walk through the timeline of council decisions, the independent arborist report, and the data showing Cromwell is at risk of losing 97.6% of its safe off-leash dog exercise space.
We cover:
- The Central Otago District Council (CODC) plan to harvest the Sandflat Road pine block
- The timeline of decisions from November 2025 to now
- What the independent arborist report found about tree safety and health
- The comparison between Cromwell and Alexandra dog exercise areas
- The real-world impact on dogs, owners, cyclists and shared community spaces
- Key questions around consultation, process and future planning
This episode is for anyone wanting a clear, evidence-based understanding of the Sandflat Road pines situation, including Cromwell locals, dog owners, and those interested in local government decision-making in New Zealand.
If you’ve seen the headlines or heard about the petition, this is where you’ll get the full context.
Because this isn’t just about trees. It’s about how decisions are made and how communities are impacted.
Learn More/Our Website: https://www.zoomiesdogtrainingadventures.com/pawsforpines