as posted here

Council drops in with ad

12/Jan/2010

Comments:

THE City of Gosnells has gone so far as to publish a full-page advertisement defending its position on the Hume Road tree protest, in a bid to deflect criticism.

The City has been in the spotlight, engaged in a standoff with the Thornlie resident who has been living in a gum tree for the past month.

Richard Pennicuik moved into the tree as loppers contracted by the council proceeded to remove 20 other eucalyptus melliodora from Hume Road.

Two trees remain, one occupied by a rotating team of protesters, and the other by Mr Pennicuik.

The trees were earmarked for removal under a five-year plan to rid the city of dangerous trees.

A tree of the same species and age in Hume Road dropped a one-tonne limb onto the road in 2008, sparking the removal program.

In the ad, published in today’s Comment News, the City says the evidence shows the trees in Hume Road were all planted at the same time and were all reaching the age when limb drops might be expected.

It also says local residents would now be consulted over the decision to replace the gums with jacarandas, due to community concerns raised.

Mr Pennicuik has spent more than a month in the gum tree and even enlisted a public relations officer of sorts to push his cause last week.

He maintains the council has failed to prove that the tree outside his home is dangerous, and says if it was deemed to be a public threat then he would allow it to be cut down.

Comment News understands a council expert deemed 22 eucalypts in Hume Road to be dangerous because they were about the same age as the one that dropped the heavy limb.

Trees were not individually inspected.

The City has refused to talk to Mr Pennicuik or give him the expert’s report until he gets out of the tree.

However the City has promised to retain the tree until at least March so discussions can be held.

as posted here

as posted here

Councils off their tree

12/Jan/2010

Gwen Moppett, Doubleview

Comments:

RICHARD “the human koala” Pennicuik now knows what we all know – shires can be a cranky lot.

I want to get rid of a tree – my tree on the shire verge – however, I am not allowed to.

A friend wants to plant a tree on her verge to prevent sprinkler damage: she isn’t allowed to because it will hinder pedestrians.

If you take responsibility for any death or damage to people or property caused by the tree will the shire then let you keep it?

as posted here

as posted here

Upgrade for reserve

29/Dec/2009

Comments:

WALTER Padbury Reserve will get a big upgrade after a City of Gosnells council decision this month.

More than $315,000 will be spent removing the internal car park and green waste bins and replacing them with turf, providing a veranda for the Cassidy Road Pavilion and adding an all-ages children’s playground.

The money will also be used to remove internal fencing and replace with a retaining wall near the Hume Road Oval.

Cricket practise nets will also be replaced. Picnic shelters, barbecues and a new toilet block will be added later.

Mayor Olwen Searle said the improvements planned for Walter Padbury Reserve would give local families a great area in which to relax and have fun as well as boosting facilities for the football and cricket clubs.

“The new improved playground will be great for local families and will be designed for children over pre-school age,” Cr Searle said.

“Under the plans the area will be made safer and illegal dumping will be addressed.

“The cricket club will benefit from an extra pitch as well as better training facilities and Gosnells Football and Social Club will welcome the new veranda.

“Offering top class recreational facilities is important to the City of Gosnells and these improvements fit the bill.”

as posted here