Tree removed from Swanbourne property

The removal of this tree was approved by the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (DPLH) as part of the subdivision approval.  

The Town requested clarification from WAPC and the DPLH on this decision and they advised that:

• The tree is a Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus rudis), which is not specifically listed as a protected species in Western Australia
• The tree is not listed in the National Trust Significant Trees Register

The WAPC advised they have no objection to the proposed removal of the subject tree and therefore the tree removal has been conducted in accordance with the subdivision approval process.

The Town’s jurisdiction in this situation was limited to facilitating the approval request between the landowner and the appropriate State authorities.

The Town has received feedback from several concerned residents about the loss of this mature tree and about declining tree canopy. 

Council is committed to increasing the Town’s tree canopy and has approved funding to undertake further work to examine incentive-based approaches to tree retention on private property.