Lovegrove trees still under threat

Lovegrove trees still under threat

The public campaign from Tree Street residents has reignited after Bunbury Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly warned the trees on Lovegrove Avenue could be removed.

The Friends of Lovegrove residents group thought they had won in their campaign against the councils proposal to alter Lovegrove into a one-way street and remove five trees for more parking bays.

Instead, the council last week agreed in a drawn-out debate to a compromise proposal to retain the trees.

However, on Friday, Deputy Mayor Brendan Kelly told the group there was nothing in the decision preventing the trees being removed when the council completed its drainage works on the street.

This is despite council voting 6-5 against a proposal to remove the trees during the meeting.

If an extra ten car parks on the northern side of Lovegrove Avenue will enhance safety, then in order to find room for those car parks the trees will go, Cr Kelly said.

Tree removal is likely to happen in any case to facilitate the necessary planned drainage works.

There should be no allusions about what will happen as the work for extra car-parking and new drainage in Lovegrove Avenue proceeds.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the trees could be removed during the street upgrade, but only if they were damaged.

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Lovegrove trees still under threat