CITY of Mandurah removed two Norfolk Pine palm trees on the eastern foreshore between 7am and 10am on Tuesday in preparation for the start of construction work on the Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge replacement project.
Trees directly impacted by the new bridge will be removed from the western foreshore park in mid-May.
About half the trees near the foreshore will be removed.
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READ NOWThe project is led by Main Roads WA, with WA construction company Georgiou Group appointed to carry out the replacement works.
Preliminary work included the removal of some recreational items on the western foreshore that will be stored until the project is complete.
The works have helped create space for the construction site offices on the western foreshore near the skate park.
It will be fenced for safety from early May until late 2017.
A council spokesman said the community and environmental value of the mature trees was well understood.
The decision was guided by Main Roads and City of Mandurah’s environmental policies, which establishes the principles of environmental protection, impact minimisation and conservation of natural resources.
The City is looking into ways to reuse the wood in a future project.
Features of the new bridge include four lanes for increasing vehicle usage, a 5m-wide shared path walkway separated from the road thoroughfare, retention of a section of the old bridge (including some columns) and boardwalk infrastructure for heritage value, boardwalks and fishing platforms to the underside of the new bridge, increased bridge clearance height to match clearances available throughout the Port Mandurah canals and architecturally designed street lighting and lighting above the shared path to enhance security and safety.