Sienna Grove/Tuscany Green, Binningup – London Plane Trees

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Consultation has concluded

Invitation to Comment

To help us in our decision making, we encourage you to submit your comments on the Sienna Grove/Tuscany Green, Binningup – London Plane Trees proposal.

Consultation Period

Monday, 6 June 2022 to Tuesday, 21 June 2022.

Background

Approximately 68 Plane trees were planted on the verge along Sienna Grove/Tuscany Green, by the developer of the estate in early 2000. The trees were planted on both sides of the street spaced at approximately 6.0m intervals.

Over the years, a number of the trees have been removed on the property side on Sienna Grove after residents notified the Shire of damage to their crossovers/driveways.

Recently, a number of residents have approached the Shire indicating that the trees have “caused them much grief over the years with the fibres from the fruiting bodies and their roots system and having issues with coughing ever morning and having to dry clothing inside (fibres) do become very itchy to wear, including the vegetative (leaf) rubbish and damage to the road and other infrastructure”.

Proposal

The matter was considered by Council at its meeting held on 24 May 2022 where Council resolved to consult the community to get their feedback regarding the following four options for managing the trees:

Option 1 (preferred option)

Remove only the existing 26 trees on the residential property side of the streets, without any replacement.

Possibly in the future remove every second tree on the POS side of the street(s) which could be considered to enable the remaining trees to mature more naturally and not in a congested state as is currently the case.

Option 2

Remove every second tree or remove two out of three trees.

With the close spacing of the trees of approximately six metres and their potential to grow up to 20 – 30 metres in height and 18 – 20 metres in crown width, this option would minimise future potential damage to infrastructure allowing for a large mature growth habit while still maintaining a desirable streetscape.

Option 3

Progressively remove all Plane trees over three financial years and progressively replant with other more suitable species.

A new species (to be determined) would be planted at a greater distance apart and aligned as far from infrastructure as practicable (this is more possible in the POS). This could be considered in the POS or the road verge adjacent to residential homes or only in the POS.

Option 4

Remove all London Plane trees and undertake no replacement.

This would leave the 40 – 50 various mature/advanced native and ornamental trees within the POS to become the dominant visual aspect of the location. This option would address the majority of concerns raised including leaf litter issues, alleged damage to infrastructure within the road reserve and adjoining properties and would subsequently open the area up to more sun light.

Submitting Comments

Your written comments, regarding your preferred option, can be submitted by completing the attached questionnaire and returning it to the Shire by Tuesday, 21 June 2022, via one of the following means:

  • Via post – Provide your comments and post it to the Shire’s Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 500, Harvey WA 6220; or
  • Via email - Addressed to the Infrastructure Services Administration Officer at shire@harvey.wa.gov.au with a reference to the ‘London Plane Trees’.

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your comments on this proposal. Should you require any further information please contact Director Infrastructure, Rick Lotznicker or Manager Parks Services Shane Faber on (08) 9729 0300.

Rick Lotznicker

Director Infrastructure Services

Invitation to Comment

To help us in our decision making, we encourage you to submit your comments on the Sienna Grove/Tuscany Green, Binningup – London Plane Trees proposal.

Consultation Period

Monday, 6 June 2022 to Tuesday, 21 June 2022.

Background

Approximately 68 Plane trees were planted on the verge along Sienna Grove/Tuscany Green, by the developer of the estate in early 2000. The trees were planted on both sides of the street spaced at approximately 6.0m intervals.

Over the years, a number of the trees have been removed on the property side on Sienna Grove after residents notified the Shire of damage to their crossovers/driveways.

Recently, a number of residents have approached the Shire indicating that the trees have “caused them much grief over the years with the fibres from the fruiting bodies and their roots system and having issues with coughing ever morning and having to dry clothing inside (fibres) do become very itchy to wear, including the vegetative (leaf) rubbish and damage to the road and other infrastructure”.

Proposal

The matter was considered by Council at its meeting held on 24 May 2022 where Council resolved to consult the community to get their feedback regarding the following four options for managing the trees:

Option 1 (preferred option)

Remove only the existing 26 trees on the residential property side of the streets, without any replacement.

Possibly in the future remove every second tree on the POS side of the street(s) which could be considered to enable the remaining trees to mature more naturally and not in a congested state as is currently the case.

Option 2

Remove every second tree or remove two out of three trees.

With the close spacing of the trees of approximately six metres and their potential to grow up to 20 – 30 metres in height and 18 – 20 metres in crown width, this option would minimise future potential damage to infrastructure allowing for a large mature growth habit while still maintaining a desirable streetscape.

Option 3

Progressively remove all Plane trees over three financial years and progressively replant with other more suitable species.

A new species (to be determined) would be planted at a greater distance apart and aligned as far from infrastructure as practicable (this is more possible in the POS). This could be considered in the POS or the road verge adjacent to residential homes or only in the POS.

Option 4

Remove all London Plane trees and undertake no replacement.

This would leave the 40 – 50 various mature/advanced native and ornamental trees within the POS to become the dominant visual aspect of the location. This option would address the majority of concerns raised including leaf litter issues, alleged damage to infrastructure within the road reserve and adjoining properties and would subsequently open the area up to more sun light.

Submitting Comments

Your written comments, regarding your preferred option, can be submitted by completing the attached questionnaire and returning it to the Shire by Tuesday, 21 June 2022, via one of the following means:

  • Via post – Provide your comments and post it to the Shire’s Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 500, Harvey WA 6220; or
  • Via email - Addressed to the Infrastructure Services Administration Officer at shire@harvey.wa.gov.au with a reference to the ‘London Plane Trees’.

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your comments on this proposal. Should you require any further information please contact Director Infrastructure, Rick Lotznicker or Manager Parks Services Shane Faber on (08) 9729 0300.

Rick Lotznicker

Director Infrastructure Services