Street trees need stronger protection
01 March, 2010
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Street trees need stronger protection
Four street trees are to be removed in Kangaroo Point because Council’s assessment of a development application did not take into account the practicality of constructing the new apartment building.
The seven unit apartment development on the corner of Main and Holman Streets will require the operation of a crane during construction. It is not possible to erect the building nearby the Story Bridge without a crane. In order to accommodate the crane, the developer deems it necessary to remove the street trees.
Councillor Abrahams moved a motion to the Environment Parks and Sustainability Committee seeking to have the presence of street trees given greater attention during Council’s development approval process.
“It was disappointing that Councillor Matic, Chair of Environment, Parks and Sustainability did not support my motion. He of all Councillors should be an advocate for the protection of street trees as it is his responsibility to oversee the Natural Assets Local Law that protects these trees.“
There are a number of situations in The Gabba Ward where residents or developers have applied under the Natural Asset Local Law to have a street tree removed on special grounds.
“Lack of forethought about the position of a street tree should not be grounds for removal of the tree” said Councillor Abrahams.
“Reasons for removals include driveway access, inability to get access to the site during construction and blocked drains from deciduous trees” said Councillor Abrahams
“In moving the motion I sought to strengthen the process whereby existing street trees are considered part of an application and not as an inconvenience post development approval!” said Councillor Abrahams.
“A lot of time is spent unproductively negotiating outcomes after a decision when the street tree should have been identified and incorporated into the design of the new building from the outset.” said Helen .
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Motion
‘That the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee support the inclusion of a new development condition identifying and protecting existing street trees outside the site on the footpath, and that the Committee Chair request this change to the standard development package”
Moved Councillor Abrahams.
These four trees are to be removed on corner of Main and Holman Streets, Kangaroo Point.