Resident Roni Vrakking’s intervention, pictured here with councillor Mark Irwin, saved this mature jarrah tree.
Andrew Ritchie          d460978
Camera IconResident Roni Vrakking’s intervention, pictured here with councillor Mark Irwin, saved this mature jarrah tree. Andrew Ritchie        d460978 Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie        d460978

Doubleview residents save mature tree in laneway from council chop

Kate LeaverStirling Times

When resident Roni Vrakking heard the tree would have to be removed by the City to resurface the lane, she contacted councillor Mark Irwin, who investigated.

Mrs Vrakking said the tree had been there since 1961 when her family built the house.

“It’s wonderful that the tree has been saved,” she said.

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Cr Irwin said he contacted the City’s engineering department, which assessed the root system and decided the tree could stay.

“It would be a real shame to get rid of this tree,” he said.

“You can safely get past it in the laneway.”

Cr Irwin encouraged residents to contact the City if there were works going on and a tree could be saved.

“I think certainly if we’re trying to promote preserving trees and the tree canopy the City must lead by example,” he said.

Stirling parks and reserves manager Ian Hunter said the tree was “smothered in ivy” and in poor health.

“The tree was originally proposed to be removed in order to accommodate the sealing of the right of way,” he said,

“The tree was inspected by the City’s tree staff, who worked with the City’s design and construction engineers to retain the tree and divert the roadworks around the base and protect the structural root system of the tree.”