Main picture: The trees on Labouchere Road just before they were
removed.
The same trees in November 2015 on Google maps.
Camera IconMain picture: The trees on Labouchere Road just before they were removed. The same trees in November 2015 on Google maps. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

South Perth: tree removals on Labouchere Rd questioned

Aaron CorlettSouthern Gazette

The removal of the eight trees on March 25 comes after the City of South Perth confirmed they are looking at recent changes to groundwater levels after basements were flooded next to Finbar’s Aurelia development.

South Perth resident Harry Anstey asked the City of South Perth a number of questions during a council meeting on March 28 about the “death” of trees around the peninsula.

Mr Anstey noted the removal of trees on Labouchere Road and other trees around the area that looked sick.

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Speaking to the Southern Gazette, he said the signs of stress in the trees, which were between 15 and 20 years old, occurred after Finbar’s Aurelia development began.

“There have been significant problems around the area with flooding in neighbouring properties,” he said.

“The character of South Perth is defined by its trees; it’s a beautiful suburb and the trees are recognised as an asset.

“I think the developers have a moral and legal obligation to remedy the situation.”

City of South Perth Deputy Mayor Glenn Cridland said the council had engaged an independent arborist to provide a report.

“In summary, the trees were in a very poor growing environment and had been stressed for many years,” he said.

“Anecdotal evidence highlighted that the trees had dropped their leaves prematurely on numerous occasions.”

Cr Cridland said the City had been liaising with a number of State agencies over recent changes in groundwater levels in the Mill Point Road and Labouchere Road area.

Finbar Group managing director Darren Pateman said there was no evidence to suggest that any change to water table levels in the South Perth area had been caused by construction works at Aurelia.

“Ground water levels are being monitored by external consultants at multiple locations surrounding our construction site in accordance with the management plan approved by relevant authorities.

“These levels are reported to be consistent with historical ground water levels.”