Perth council investigates after trees in way of controversial car park cut down
A Perth western suburbs council is investigating after a mystery vandal cut down two trees in the path of a controversial school car park proposal that has yet to be given the green light.
The two mature trees near North Cottesloe Primary School along Railway Road were discovered cut off at the stump on Friday morning last week.
The trees were expected to be in the way of a proposed plan to realign Railway Road in order to make way for an extended car park for the primary school, and had been marked for possible removal if the project was to go ahead.
However the project has not yet been given approval by the Town of Cottesloe, and it has not received funding from the Department of Education or Main Roads WA.
As a result, a Town of Cottesloe spokeswoman said the council would be conducting a full investigation into the trees' unauthorised removal.
“The Town of Cottesloe did not remove, or authorise the removal of, the trees in question,” she said.
“We are currently investigating the matter and anyone with information should come forward and make a report to the town.”
A small orange Banksia was also damaged in the incident.
Residents have since expressed concern the trees have been cut down less than two weeks after plans to realign the road were again revived, with community members meeting to discuss the new proposal on February 5.
“The proposal for a new car park will create a safer road environment adjacent to North
Cottesloe Primary School and reduce congestion along Eric Street and Railway Parade," meeting minutes read.
"A revised road alignment within a new concept plan has avoided impact on the 24 matured
trees and the nine Norfolk Island pines."
However it's understood while the Norfolk pines will remain at the site, the plans don't make mention of a banksia, a peppermint tree, a melaleuca bracteata shrub and a small eucalypt in the way of the proposed path.
They are also all further at risk of being uprooted as part of the realignment of the road and adjacent path.
The Town of Cottesloe’s investigation is ongoing.