The council's own camphor laurel tree on the corner of Willow and Hamilton streets is being cut down.

Arbour Care's chainsaws were at work this morning, removing the tree which council staff say has created a flooding problem for the Willow Street council building – twice in the last fortnight.

The camphor tree by the Tauranga City Council office is being removed.

Council staff say roots have pierced the reinforced concrete floor of the building, allowing water in.

Councillor Murray Guy doesn't believe that and has found no evidence to support the claims.

'Some water entered the building through rotten timber framing into the carpet,” says Murray.

'But no carpet was lifted, neither were any internal wall boards or skirting removed to ascertain damage to the concrete structure.

'But while I've had informal discussions with staff, they have not been able to provide any actual evidence and a request to the acting CEO Christine Jones got the reply that she had instructed staff not to incur any cost in the provision of any response to my questions.

'None of the questions actually involved any costs, but I do now much better relate to those residents who from time to time make requests of staff and feel that perhaps they are not getting an appropriate response particularly one that they are entitled to.

'The whole process has totally disappointed me and I'm really quite sad about it.”

He's also got issues with the process used to remove the tree.

'The council enjoyed advantages that those in the wider community who have issues with trees aren't able to enjoy,” says Murray.

He believes the tree could quite easily have been managed.