Perth Voice Interactive

DEVELOPERS who “accidentally” kill verge trees may soon be “accidentally” slugged with a $5000 fine.

Councillors Sally Palmer and Chris Cornish are spearheading the push, saying too many trees are getting bowled over.

It’s amazing how often trees’ “accidental” removal makes it easier for developers to access sites and construct driveways.

“It’s not all developers, but you only need to have 10 per cent neglecting that ruling of keeping that verge tree and you could have lost 10 per cent of trees,” Cr Palmer says.

“Just having this bond makes them more aware of that tree value. The trees don’t just belong to that block, they belong to the whole street.”

The council will now keep a bond of $5000 “held in trust for a period of 12 months following completion of the construction” and hand it back only when ”the street tree has been protected and maintained to the satisfaction of the city”.

Cr Brent Fleeton was the only one to vote against the policy.  He says he’s not seen evidence there’s an epidemic of verge trees being knocked down and this only adds red tape.

He says fining those who destroy protected trees would be more efficient than setting up an unwieldly bond system.

by DAVID BELL