Gum tree stand-off continues

as posted here

Gosnells MLA Chris Tallentire has called for the stand-off to be resolved between the Gosnells council and a resident over a gum tree in Hume Road.

Mr Tallentire told Comment News last Wednesday that the two remaining gum trees on Hume Road should be retained unless specific expert evidence can show they were in imminent danger.

Twenty other gum trees along Hume Road were cut down because of their potential to drop heavy limbs.

Hume Road resident Richard Pennicuik and a team of supporters have protected two trees by literally living in them for the past fortnight.

Gosnells council has refused to talk to Mr Pennicuik while he remains in the tree and Mr Pennicuik has refused to come down unless the council talks to him face-to-face and promises the tree outside his home would be retained.

Mr Tallentire said the bizarre stand-off could have been avoided if the council had conducted better, more extensive consultation with residents about the removal of trees on verges. He said consultation was a challenge for all levels of government.

“Local government has got to do a better job of consulting about what people really want,’’ Mr Tallentire said.

“There needs to be good community consultation on what streetscaping should take place... jacarandas may look good in November, but aside from their flowering the benefits are limited.”

City of Gosnells chief executive Ian Cowie said the City believed the Eucalyptus Melliodora trees in Hume Road were dangerous to pedestrians and motorists following limb drops by trees of the same species and age. “In light of its concern about public safety, the City informed residents that the trees would need to be removed,” Mr Cowie said.

“Four residents provided comment to the City when they received this information, including one who specifically objected, who was then given further advice.

“As it has been said since the beginning of this process, the City will discuss the issue further with the resident when he leaves the tree and the tree will not be touched while discussions take place.”

Mr Cowie urged Mr Pennicuik to leave the tree and end what he said was a massive inconvenience to the other residents of Hume Road.

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as posted here