The Town of Victoria Park in Perth is facing significant community backlash after a shocking error during park upgrades led to the destruction of dozens of established trees. The council has been forced to issue a public apology for what local advocates are calling a devastating green blunder.
A Mistake with Major Consequences
While upgrades to Elizabeth Baillie Park, ongoing since March, included approval for the removal of 11 trees, the project spiralled into an environmental mishap. In total, 65 trees were brought down during construction work. A council review revealed that the vast majority of these were felled without authorisation.
The breakdown of the loss is stark. While 19 trees were removed due to being in poor condition and for safety reasons, a whopping 46 healthy trees were slashed without any council approval. The scale of the error has left the local community reeling and the council red-faced.
Taking Responsibility and Demanding Accountability
Mayor Karen Vernon fronted the media to address the growing anger, stating the council takes full responsibility for the mistake. I sincerely apologise to our community, Vernon said, acknowledging the council had failed to ensure that the contractor was taking the requisite amount of care of those trees.
An investigation has been launched to determine how the error occurred. Vernon did not mince words about the potential fallout, indicating that if that includes some people losing their position then that may very well be the consequence of that process.
The sentiment for accountability was echoed by Sarah Allchurch, chair of WA Tree Canopy Advocates. She emphasised that the city cannot afford these kind of mistakes, calling for responsibility from the person who signed the work order right through to the guy holding the chainsaw. Her plea was simple: We need to stop before we chop.
The Long Road to Recovery
In an attempt to make amends, the council has committed to a substantial replanting program. Original plans to plant 43 new trees as part of the upgrade have been scrapped in favour of a more ambitious goal. The council has now promised to more than double that number to compensate for the loss.
However, residents are sceptical about the effectiveness of this remedy. Local Patrick Bourke pointed out the irreplaceable value of mature trees, lamenting the long lead time before new plantings reach a similar size. The problem is that when you start to look at that, you're looking at mature trees that have gone, Bourke said. I'll be dead by then before they actually come back to fruition.
This incident highlights the fragile balance between urban development and environmental preservation, serving as a costly lesson for the local council and its contractors.
