Healthy street trees here to stay

HERE TO STAY: Mount Gambier councillor Steve Perryman stands on Mitchell Street's western footpath, which features 14 Lagunaria trees.

By Brett Kennedy

A ROW of mature trees will not be removed from an inner-city Mount Gambier street after they were deemed to be structurally sound with extended useful life expectancies.

An independent health and risk assessment of 14 Lagunaria trees which line Mitchell Street’s western footpath found there was no issues to warrant their removal.

Council commissioned the report in March following a request from a Mount Gambier property developer and Jardine Street resident, which claimed the trees – also known as Norfolk Island Hibiscus – dropped numerous materials on to structures and gutters.

The complainants also aired concerns over the potential contamination of rainwater from white fibres found inside brown seed capsules which fall from the tree.

They argued the pods were a known irritant to people and animals with contact producing a skin irritation in some cases, leading the species to be known as the “Itch Tree”.

The request at the time was criticised by councillor Steve Perryman, who urged council to ‘not jump at shadows’ and said the issue of falling materials could be managed with routine home maintenance.

Arborman Tree Solutions inspected the 14 trees on May 4, rating the trees’ condition as either good or fair with the majority carrying a useful life expectancy over 10 years.

Senior consulting arboriculturist Marcus Lodge deemed the trees to be at low risk of failing, adding they provided an important heritage link with the history of the area.

“None of trees display features that indicate they are in health or structural decline or that they are not suited to the environment,” Mr Lodge reported.

“They are not considered to warrant remedial action at this stage.”

Council also sought State Heritage advice on the matter given the trees border the Roman Catholic Church Complex, which comprises several State Heritage-listed places and a Local Heritage place.

Removal of the trees would have required council to seek state approval given the material affect it would have on the precinct.

Council determined at Tuesday’s monthly meeting to advise Empak Homes and the Jardine Street resident of its decision not to remove the trees.

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