September 23 2016
Tree removal Stapletons Road - update
Tree removals have begun along Stapletons Road, as part of the Dudley Creek flood remediation
project.
The Stapletons Road flood mitigation option was chosen after extensive consultation with the
community, where tree removal was clearly outlined as necessary for this option to proceed. The design
seeks to retain as many of the best trees as possible, while widening the waterway on the Stapletons
Road side to reduce the amount of work required on private land.
In recent weeks, notices have been delivered to nearby residents, outlining the tree removal work and
timeframes for this work, which started on Wednesday this week, and is expected to take around two
weeks. In these notices, which are available on this webpage, residents were made aware that full plans
showing the trees to be removed, and that the planting plan are available on the Council’s flood
remediation webpages and at the Shirley Service Centre. Contractors Downer also put the plans up
onsite at the Guild Street pedestrian bridge.
Earlier this week, prior to the planned tree removal work starting, landscape architects and the Council’s
arborist did a final walkover with the contractor to confirm assessments of the existing trees along
Stapletons Road. In this assessment, some minor changes were noted to the plan.
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One willow tree was found to be in poor structural condition, and noted for removal.
One quince tree next to the path was in poor condition, with nasty thorns.
One small ribbonwood tree was considered too close to the creek edge following the widening of
the creek, and noted for removal.
One Pissard’s Plum tree set for removal was in reasonable condition, and should be retained,
while the tree beside it (the same species) was in poor condition, and should be removed.
These four trees have since been removed.
While the notices outlined that this final walkthrough would confirm assessments of the trees, we believe
that we should have communicated any changes to the plan before this removal took place.
We don’t expect any further changes to what was originally outlined in the communications that have
gone out. But should there be any additional removals necessary during the course of the works, we will
ensure we let the community know before any of these trees are removed.
If you have any queries or concerns, please feel free to contact the Council on the details below.