HIGH Wycombe resident Kelly McDonald says the City of Kalamunda failed to ensure mature trees were protected during subdivision works but the mayor says all options were considered.

Ms McDonald said the Brae at High Wycombe Estate development, on the corner of Stewart and Brae roads, was promoted with plans showing numerous retained trees but most were later removed.

“The majority of these trees were not retained, with all trees along Stewart Road cleared,” she said.

“I understand that due to lots sizes being so small and houses now bigger, that there is no ability to retain trees within lots but surely councils need to ensure that verge and public open space trees of value are retained.

“When I contacted the city, residents were told the developer needed to put in a sewer and there was nothing the city could do.

“That’s simply not true and any other council would have reviewed the arborist’s report and required key trees to be protected.”

Following the Stewart Road clearing, Ms McDonald said she became involved in monitoring works along Brae Road, where sewer installation is ongoing.

Ms McDonald believes her advocacy helped prevent further mass tree removal but said one of her verge trees is now at risk.

“My 50-year-old eucalyptus, about 36 metres high, has been approved for removal to make it easier for the developer to install the sewer,” she said.

“The city also said it’s due to a future road, but the structure plan shows that road on the neighbouring property, which is marked as public open space.”

Ms McDonald said alternative construction methods such as drilling could allow the sewer to be installed without disturbing the roots.

“I’ve spoken to the Water Corporation project manager, the Department of Planning, and arborists who said drilling under the tree would most likely be safe,” she said.

“The bottom line is the tree can always be removed later if truly necessary, but it can never be put back.”

Meanwhile, the City of Kalamunda’s future forest policy is inviting public comment before the consultation period closes at 5pm on October 31.

In response to questions from Echo News, City of Kalamunda Mayor Margaret Thomas said the city understood the community’s attachment to local trees and considered all possible retention options before agreeing to any removals.

“We know how much our community values its trees – they’re a defining part of what makes our city such a special place to live,” she said.

“In this case, the Western Australian Planning Commission approved the subdivision in the Stewart and Brae Road area, which required new underground services such as water and sewer connections.

“To allow this essential infrastructure to be installed safely and efficiently, the City agreed to the removal of a small number of verge trees, including a mature eucalyptus along Brae Road.

“Before supporting this, we asked the project team to investigate all alternatives including adjusting the service alignment and boring beneath the roots but unfortunately those options weren’t feasible due to existing site constraints.

“However, we were very pleased that a mature jacaranda tree was able to be relocated onto adjoining private property, protecting it from removal.”

Cr Thomas said well-planned housing infill was vital to meeting both state and local planning objectives.

Residents will have a chance to provide feedback on the Kalamunda draft future forest policy until October 31.