The Ratepayers Association of Town of Victoria Park is demanding answers from the local council over what it calls a double standard in tree management policies. The controversy centres on the removal of dozens of trees at Elizabeth Baillie Park in East Victoria Park, which the association claims contradicts the council's own 'highly restrictive' policy for private landowners.
Questioning the Council's Justification
In a formal letter to the town's new chief operations officer, Alison Luobikis, association chairman Vince Maxwell directly challenged the council's justification for removing trees from the popular park. The council had previously stated that most removed trees were 'in poor health and/or exotic species' and that its strict tree policy didn't apply because the park is public open space rather than private land.
'We remain sceptical that any credible evidence exists to support the claim that the removed trees were in poor health and/or exotic species,' Mr Maxwell stated in his correspondence. He questioned whether Mayor Karen Vernon holds her administration to the same stringent standards she imposes on residents regarding tree removal on private property.
Discrepancy in Tree Age and Health Claims
The association conducted its own physical survey of the site before the removals, challenging the council's characterization of the trees. 'The youngest trees earmarked for removal were then around 15 years old; most were between 25 and 40 years, and several exceeding 60 years of age,' Mr Maxwell revealed.
This directly contradicted the original 2021 landscape masterplan that described the 48 trees planned for removal as 'young with immature canopies.' When the association requested the arborist report and map used to determine tree health and species, they were told no such map exists and the arborist report was over five years old, requiring a Freedom of Information request to access.
Unauthorised Removals Spark Investigation
The situation escalated when Mayor Vernon acknowledged in a social media post earlier this month that 65 trees not planned for removal had been taken down during construction. She described the loss as 'deeply disappointing and devastating' and promised a thorough investigation.
Mr Maxwell expressed disbelief that such extensive removal could occur accidentally. 'Someone has to approve the money ... I just find it really hard to believe that could possibly happen,' he told PerthNow. He emphasised that 'the destruction of 46 trees on town-controlled land cannot reasonably be dismissed as an oversight.'
The council has committed to offsetting the additional tree removals with 94 new trees and 23,160 plants. On November 18, the council directed town administration to investigate the unauthorized tree removals and report back in February. Mayor Vernon stated that 'the town will await the investigation report before commenting further about what occurred.'
The park redevelopment, which includes an amphitheatre, new playground, public toilets, and landscaping, required some tree removal as part of the approved works. However, the scale of unplanned removals has raised serious questions about the council's internal controls and commitment to its own environmental policies.
