Source : Perth Now news
Five Norfolk Island pine trees were replanted in Cottesloe on Tuesday after the town removed them to satisfy disgruntled residents.
Seven pines were originally planted along Marine Parade in July as part of the town’s street tree masterplan, but locals quickly complained their coastal views and recreational beach space would be compromised.
They said there had not been enough consultation, a requirement under the town’s beach policy, adopted in 2004. This ensures “no new plantings will be undertaken (along the beach front) without prior community consultation”.
The trees were temporarily relocated in early August while the town held more thorough community discussions to decide their fate.
The two-week consultation, which attracted an unprecedented 632 submissions, revealed 74 per cent of respondents supported permanently replanting the trees. The most common reasons were increased shade and canopy and protecting Cottesloe’s reputation for “iconic” pines.
Councillors voted to replant five trees at the August 25 meeting based on the clear community consensus.
“The Town of Cottesloe is committed to listening to our community and increasing our tree canopy, and with the replanting of these trees, happily, we’re doing both,” mayor Melissa Harkins said.
“Cottesloe’s pines are at the heart of what it means to be in Cottesloe, as a resident or a visitor. We are delighted the young trees have come home to Marine Parade and we look forward to caring for them and seeing them grow.”
The two remaining pines will be replanted elsewhere within the town.
