tree removals
UPDATE: South Perth ratepayers have just passed a no-confidence vote against their city council following the controversial decision to remove six trees from Lake Douglas. This urgent development comes after community backlash over the trees being cut down to preserve views of the Perth CBD.
The council’s decision, made in July at the behest of former councillor Nic Coveney, has sparked widespread outrage. A special electors’ meeting held on August 25 resulted in a unanimous vote expressing a lack of confidence in the council’s decision-making process.
Community sentiment at the meeting was clear: the removal was perceived as catering to a privileged few rather than serving the broader community. Founder of the South Perth Tree Canopy Advocates, Bronwyn David, criticized the council for being “thoroughly pilloried” over its decision, claiming it prioritized the views of a “small number” of residents on Jubilee Street.
“If this decision is allowed to stand, it threatens to waste employees’ expertise, resources, and time,” David warned, emphasizing the need for council members to represent the interests of the entire community.
At the meeting, attendees echoed David’s sentiments, asserting that the council’s actions were “ad hoc” and inconsistent with its own foreshore management plan. Sue Gilead stated, “This undermines the community’s significant contributions to the urban greening strategy.”
Concerns were also raised by Aiden Carlson, a resident of Karawara, who highlighted that locals had lost views of the golf course and questioned whether similar actions would be taken regarding trees in that area.
As the meeting progressed, questions regarding potential disunity within the council arose, but Mayor Greg Milner refrained from providing direct answers, stating that councillors must balance the interests of electors, ratepayers, and residents.
“I can only say that a councillor’s duties include representing the interests of electors and providing leadership to the community,” Milner remarked.
City staff present at the meeting clarified that their role was to implement council decisions and were unable to comment further. The council is set to discuss the resolution at its next meeting scheduled for September 23.
This development highlights the growing tensions between local governance and community interests in South Perth. As residents await the council’s response, the outcome could set a significant precedent for future decision-making processes regarding community resources and environmental conservation.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and join the conversation on social media to express your views on the matter.
