Tree Removal & Replacement Planning

At their April meeting, Council were presented with numerous reports on trees around the District requiring removal and replacement. The key message of the report provided by the Manager Works and Infrastructure Services was that trees are a sometimes undervalued, living asset of Council which have a limited lifespan and should be managed in a similar way to other community assets. Trees add to the beauty of our towns, but trees of the wrong type, or growing in the wrong place, can create problems and risks that are not reasonable. Tree management is all about managing the various risks and benefits of trees to ensure the best community outcomes. As such, staff will be developing a district wide tree removal and replacement program to meet obligations of the Local Government Act.

Council’s contractor recently raised significant safety concerns about the pine tree on the intersection of Burton Terrace and DeLatour Street, Wudinna due to a large crack that is evident in the trunk. Council has approved the immediate removal of this tree to prevent damage to infrastructure, or worse loss of life, should the tree fall. Replacement of this tree is to be incorporated in to a plan that is about to be developed for the Wudinna CBD area.

The Aleppo pines at the Wudinna Cemetery entrance are reaching the end of their lifespan (with some already deceased) and these will be removed in a staged process. A landscaping plan is currently being developed for the area to improve amenity and maintenance obligations.

The Aleppo pine trees that adorn the streets in Minnipa are also of concern as they are reaching the end of their useful life. Council have consented to the development of a plan for the staged removal and replacement of these trees. The plan will be tabled for further consideration by Council once developed, prior to public consultation being undertaken.

Council recognises the significance of the trees at each of the above locations, having been planted by community members. Staged replacement of the trees will ensure we have a canopy of appropriately managed vegetation for future generations to enjoy, as we have.