COTTESLOE Residents and Ratepayers Association wants its council to dig up the Cottesloe Beach carpark and plant trees for a green canopy over swimmers and tourists.
Last month, the Association supported an organisation of community groups and council attempting to increase tree canopy for shade, aesthetics and health benefits, and combat defoliation caused by infill across the western suburbs.
A subsequent meeting of the association agreed to ask Cottesloe council for trees in the beach carpark at the back of the Napier Street carpark, on railway reserves, the Marine Parade-Eric Street intersection and beach terraces.
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READ NOW“You only have to go to Scarborough beachfront where they’ve done it cleverly,” association chairman John Hammond said, when asked how to protect young trees from cars and the harsh coastal conditions.
Mr Hammond said species other than Norfolk Pines could be planted along the terrace to avoid the structures being undermined by roots.
The pines planted to provide sailing ship’s spars and masts are now the dominant icon of Cottesloe.
“It’s real hit me recently that most of the Cottesloe streetscape is the result of historic and intentional planting, and the council needs to pick up on that and continue that legacy,” association committee member Tim Evans said.
The council’s policy for its iconic Norfolk Pines, which can live to 170 years, in public areas is to replace them when they die, or they are removed because they are diseased or unsafe.
“Alternatives to Norfolk Pines, other than those heritage listed, are native to coastal areas and include Peppermint trees and Rottnest Island Pines,” Cottesloe chief executive Mat Humfry said.
Mr Humfry said requests for trees at new locations would be considered “generally” to establish a tree canopy, but any in the Napier Street carpark would be considered in the Cottesloe Foreshore Redevelopment Plan.