More than 800 trees could be removed from the former Edith Cowan University (ECU) Mount Lawley campus as part of a major redevelopment project. The proposal, recommended for approval by planning officers, was set to be considered by the WA Planning Commission Statutory Planning Committee on Wednesday.
The works involve bulk earthworks, contamination remediation, demolition of buildings and pavement, and relocation of underground services across the 18.6-hectare site. The site is slated for transformation into 1100 homes, public open space, and a creative industries hub near Perth's CBD.
According to planning documents, 836 of the site's 1323 trees—about 63 percent—may be removed under a conservative maximum scenario. The report cites the site's history as a former landfill as the primary driver for the works, noting that remediation is necessary before redevelopment can proceed.
The proposal has sparked significant community concern, with 68 objections among 112 public submissions. Many submissions focused on the loss of mature canopy, wildlife habitat, and neighbourhood amenity, as well as fears over urban heat island impacts and the time required for replacement trees to provide similar benefits.
Environmental concerns also center on threatened black cockatoos, including Carnaby's cockatoos and forest red-tailed black cockatoos. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions warned the proposal may impact their habitat, potentially triggering a referral under the EPBC Act.
Planning officers have recommended approval subject to conditions, including tree protection plans and construction environmental management plans. The broader redevelopment is expected to take 10 to 15 years to complete.
