Dozens of protesters have temporarily stopped plans to bulldoze century-old trees in Perth’s inner-north.
One activist even chained himself to the branches, as the mayor slammed the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage over the proposed Mount Lawley housing development.
The department says the trees in question have to go because they’re infected with asbestos but the protesters want more community consultation.
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Residents today turned up in numbers to the vacant land along Guildford Road and East Parade, which is slated for a social and affordable housing development.
They’re upset with plans to cut down 10 mature-age trees, some more than 100 years old.
“We’re not trying to be deliberately obstructive, but we feel that we’re not being listened to,” fellow protester Caroline Cohen said.
The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage says the trees are contaminated with asbestos.
An environmental sites expert and an arborist looked at the trees and both said those infected should be removed.
“There’s significant contamination of the soil with regards to asbestos and other contaminants,” Premier Roger Cook said.
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“There’s no way we can remediate that asbestos and other contaminants without removing those specific trees.”
But protestors instead called for more community consultation.
“We’re hoping that there’s a way to have an innovative and sustainable architectural design that can incorporate both the trees and the houses,” protester Lyla said.
City of Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon was also critical of the plans.
“What we are talking about here is irresponsible development, there has been no community consultation whatsoever,” she said.
The department insists only ten asbestos-affected trees will be removed, with 25 others to remain.
“There are many ways that you can actually remove asbestos around mature trees, it wasn’t even considered,” Xamon said.
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The trees are set to be bulldozed any day now but locals are still hoping for a change of plans.
“We only want the best for the trees and the new community that’s going to live here,” Cohen said.
One protester began his tree sit at 6am and didn’t come down for at least 12 hours.
He had a hammock, food and was even spotted reading a book as it rained in the afternoon.
The man was following in the footsteps of “tree man” Richard Pennicuik, who sat in a gum tree in Thornlie for more than 100 days in a failed attempt to save it.
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