The Town of Victoria Park has revealed that 46 trees were removed without authorisation during the $8.1 million redevelopment of Elizabeth Baillie Park and an adjacent hospitality precinct. The council discovered the unauthorised removals after inspecting satellite maps for changes in the tree canopy.
Mayor Karen Vernon told ABC Radio Perth the discovery was 'deeply disappointing and very embarrassing for us.' She said the council prides itself on environmental stewardship, particularly around trees, and expressed concern over the number of trees removed that were not earmarked for removal.
The council originally approved the removal of 11 trees that were either in poor health or needed to be removed for safety requirements and infrastructure. However, recent satellite mapping checks showed that 46 trees had been cut down without council approval.
Mayor Vernon acknowledged there were 'clearly issues around poor site management' and said the council is working to understand how the errors occurred and to strengthen processes in the future. The council now intends to plant more than 94 new trees to offset the unexpected losses, in addition to the 43 new trees and 23,160 plants originally planned.
The 4.7-hectare park, formerly known as Edward Millen Park, was renamed earlier this year to honour Elizabeth Baillie, who built Western Australia's first maternity hospital on the site in 1912. The redevelopment includes the historic Elizabeth Baillie House to create a hospitality precinct.
