HISTORY was made when the 81-year-old kurrajong tree shifted from Bayswater station to Bert Wright Park on Thursday.
Dozens of residents flocked to King William Street and stayed for about five hours to watch the tree relocation.
The 12m tree was lifted by a large crane before another crane moved it to Bert Wright Park.
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READ NOWCity of Bayswater arborist Mark Short, Public Transport Authority and Metronet representatives and contractors were on deck for several hours to prepare for the move.
The relocation costed $15,000.
Bayswater resident Branka Radanovich moved a motion at the Bayswater annual general meeting in 2018 to save the tree from destruction as part of the Bayswater train station upgrade.
She thanked the council, Mr Short and Metronet for their support.
“It is actually quite amazing,” she said.
“It is great to get shade in that area.”
She hoped the relocation would set a precedence for other trees earmarked for removal to be saved
Mayor Dan Bull said it was a big day for the City of Bayswater.
Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said the tree would be enjoyed by children at the park rather than being next to the Bayswater bridge that had been damaged by trucks over the years.
“While residents were no doubt thrilled to witness the incredible sight of a massive tree being craned down one of their main streets, its relocation also marks an exciting new stage in the Bayswater station upgrade project,” she said
“The notorious Bayswater bridge is a thing of the past.
“She (the tree) has now moved to a new place.”
Following the relocation, other works on the station upgrade will continue.
The tree will now be owned and looked after by the City of Bayswater.
See more pictures below:
