MORE than a dozen mature trees will be axed in one swoop in Noranda because Bayswater council has failed to maintain them over the years, green thumbs claim.
The council this week decided to chop down 13 trees—half the stock at the small reserve on Noranda Place—because of two potentially fatal incidents involving falling trees in the past month and neighbourhood complaints, mainly over leaf and branch “litter”.
A report, tabled at the special meeting, states the $13,000 axings will “reduce canopy” and safety risks. The entire project will cost $47,000: $5000 to inspect remaining trees, $15,000 on grass, and $14,000 on 28 new trees across the road at a larger park.
Urban tree network member Jacquie Kelly says it’s odd so many “need” chopping down, saying there wouldn’t be a problem if they’d been properly managed.
Fellow green thumb Branka Radanovich is taking the issue higher up, raising it with politicians, including federal Labor Perth MP Alannah MacTiernan.
“I’ve questioned the City of Bayswater’s so-called ‘tree management’,” Ms Radanovich says, accusing the council of “covering up” its mismanagement.
“It’s like going to a dentist and them saying you need to get 13 teeth taken out.
“Isn’t the problem then that I haven’t properly looked them? Something is wrong here.”
Mayor Barry McKenna “totally rejects” claims the council has mismanaged its trees: “Those trees fell over because of a fungal infection at the roots and base, and historically we know this has happened in the past because of root disturbance from road works,” he says.
Repeated Voice questions over whether the trees were pruned over the years and maintained to a certain standard were met with the response, “there were several reports on those trees over numerous years”.
In November, a marri red gum fell on a moving car, and “thankfully” no-one was injured. In the same month a lemon-scented gum fell, narrowly missing a motorist.
Three councillors voted against the decision: Crs Dan Bull, Chris Cornish and Sally Palmer.
The council expects to spend $1.6 million on tree maintenance this financial year.
by EMMIE DOWLING
Perth Voice Interactive 
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