Explosive Report Exposes Management Failures in Victoria Park Tree Removal Scandal
A long-awaited investigation report has been released by the Town of Victoria Park, detailing the unauthorised removal of nearly fifty mature trees during the Elizabeth Baillie precinct redevelopment. The document points directly to significant shortcomings in project management and internal controls as the primary causes of this environmental incident.
Systemic Governance Weaknesses Identified
The investigation was launched after authorities discovered that vegetation removal at the Albany Highway development site had far exceeded approved limits. While the town had authorised the removal of fifty trees, workers ultimately cleared ninety-six mature specimens—forty-six more than permitted under existing approvals.
According to the comprehensive report, while there was no evidence of deliberate misconduct or intentional wrongdoing, the investigation uncovered what it describes as "systemic governance and co-ordination weaknesses across people, procedures and organisational culture." These fundamental flaws created an environment where such oversights could occur without proper oversight or intervention.
Multiple Contributing Factors Revealed
The report identifies several critical factors that contributed to the unauthorised tree removal. High staff turnover proved particularly problematic, with at least four different project managers overseeing the redevelopment at various stages. This constant rotation of personnel created continuity gaps and knowledge transfer issues that hampered effective project supervision.
Inconsistent record keeping practices further complicated matters, with the investigation finding that no single authoritative source documented the basis for each tree removal decision. Instead, crucial information was scattered across multiple documents, emails, and communication channels, making comprehensive oversight virtually impossible.
A flawed project design also played a significant role, with concerns about constructibility and tree management being raised internally but handled individually rather than through systematic processes. The town's organizational culture, characterized by what the report describes as a "drive to deliver" mentality, prompted staff to prioritize project timelines above proper environmental safeguards.
Mayor's Response and Community Accountability
Town of Victoria Park Mayor Karen Vernon acknowledged the report's difficult findings, stating that the investigation provided a detailed account of how the trees were removed during construction works at the park. "The investigation has confirmed that our internal processes had significant weaknesses in project governance, documentation and contract management," Mayor Vernon said.
She described the report as "difficult reading" but emphasized its importance as both an accountability measure to the community and a roadmap for improvement. In November, Mayor Vernon had already issued a public apology on social media, expressing her "deep disappointment" about the failures that led to the unauthorised removals.
Recommendations and Moving Forward
The report includes several recommendations that will be considered by the council at their March 17 meeting. These proposed measures include:
- Developing a comprehensive canopy replacement program to address the environmental impact
- Reviewing and updating the town's policy and project documentation procedures
- Revising contract requirements to clearly define tree protection expectations for future projects
- Implementing stronger governance structures for development oversight
Additionally, the town has announced a free community event to mark the opening of the Elizabeth Baillie precinct on March 14 from 6pm to 9pm. This event represents an opportunity for community engagement and transparency as the town works to rebuild trust following the investigation's revelations.
The full report and council agenda are now available for public review, marking a significant step toward greater accountability in local government environmental management practices.
