Shire of Harvey approve the chop of 42 trees along an Australind road

The Shire of Harvey has approved the chop of 42 trees along an Australind road after one of the large gums collapsed on a house earlier this year.

The 42 spotted gum trees along Holbrook Road in Australind will face the axe after two trees were uprooted during a storm on June 6.

At the August council meeting, Harvey councillors voted to investigate the potential of removing all the trees at once, or removing 25 trees and reassessing the remaining 17 in 12 months time.

After consulting with residents along the road it was decided to remove all the trees at once, with the potential of replacing them with species more suitable for an urban street.

Shire president Michelle Campbell said some of the trees showed dangerous signs, with shire officers stating one had to be removed recently after developing a large split in the canopy.

Cr John Bromham said the council should note the trees had caused substantial damage to private property earlier this year.

“I think this is the best way forward, to remove these trees and provide a safe environment for our community,” he said

Cr Joe Capogreco said he was for removing the trees, but wanted to postpone replacing them to consult with other councils about how to avoid history repeating.

“I don’t want us to be hasty and plant a smaller species of spotted gum when there could be something else,” he said.

Shire staff told elected members there was the opportunity to explore more suitable species, but there was “unfortunately not a perfect tree out there” for urban planting.

The shire voted 9-1 in favour in support of removing the trees with only Cr Robyn Coleman — who said she would like to see natives planted — voting against.