Workers cut down the tree on Randell Street last week. Photos: Chloe Sipeki
An out-of-the-blue removal of a well-rooted Norfolk Pine upset Randell Street residents last week.
Situated out the front of the independent living area of the Esperance Aged Care Facility (EACF), resident Mike Gibson said the tree was healthy and at least 100 years old.
“Part of our outlook was this beautiful tree,” he said.
“We were never consulted and never told.
“You’d think as a courtesy they could have said.”
Mr Gibson said his investigation into the tree’s removal started when the team arrived, lopping branches off on Thursday morning.
“Beforehand I didn’t know anything,” he said.
After several calls, he contacted the management of the EACF.
“They said it had been interfering with the pipes that had supplied the fire hydrant.
“They said they can’t do anything about it.”
When EACF was contacted last week, deputy chair Tori Castledine said the tree’s growing roots had begun to pose safety concerns.
“The risk of the roots growing too close to the fire hydrant and other integral infrastructure had been noted by several contractors,” she said, “we were required to act to ensure the safety of our residents and staff.”
Mr Gibson said despite trying to find a way to stop the process, the removalists worked fast and by the time he got back after trying to find help, it was already gone.
He said his main question to the instigator was, “why couldn’t they have moved the pipes instead of cutting down the tree?”.
Ms Castledine said this had been considered.
“The relocation of infrastructure would have been a large and highly expensive exercise that would have created significant disruption,” she said.
The units’ residents were not notified, Ms Castledine said, because removal of the tree had been organised so as not to cause major disruptions.
“We were able to cordon off the area in a way that didn’t create any inconvenience to access to the facility, and the removal was undertaken in a timely and efficient manner,” she said.
