A controversial decision by Essential Energy and Yass Valley Council to remove three trees on Rossi Street in Yass has been subject to local scrutiny. Residents have told the Yass Valley Times that little to no communication was made by Essential Energy and Yass Valley Council, and have opposed the removal of the trees due to their important historical significance.
Some residents consider those trees to be the heritage of Yass and have opposed Council’s decision to remove the trees claiming it is putting corporate interests over the communities.
Local Councillor Adrian Cameron is one of the critics, challenging Council on the decision to remove the tree, but ultimately, the removal of the trees still went ahead.
Local musician, Daniel Kelly has also been vocal about his objection to the removal of the tree.
Yass Valley Council and Essential Energy said this was part of essential work to protect the power network and support the long-term management of street trees.
Council said it was part of a broader strategy to ensure that only appropriate vegetation is planted near power infrastructure, Council said they have been working closely with Essential Energy to identify incompatible trees and to strategically develop and implement an agreed program for their staged removal and replacement. This work ensures that only suitable vegetation is planted under powerlines.
Following this assessment, the three mature trees in Rossi Street – two London Plane trees and one White Cedar – were identified for removal and replacement. Council admitted these trees are valued elements of the Rossi Street landscape, but explained they have unfortunately been deemed unsuitable by Council for long-term management in their current location.
Council claimed to have consulted directly with affected residents and said they appreciate the in-principle support received, but residents contacting the Yass Valley Times have claimed this to be untrue.
Council responded to pushback, citing two independent arborist reports. Council said, “Whilst we wish to preserve our valuable street trees wherever possible, independent arborist recommendations and public safety concerns necessitated that Council and Essential Energy make plans to remove these trees.”
Yass Valley Council have made these reports public and they are as follows: “I am the Principal of Michael Reeves Landscape Architect. Michael Reeves Landscape Architect is a firm specialising in the provision of professional arborist and landscape architect-related services. I have prepared this Arborist Report.
“I have worked in Canberra and New South Wales in private practice and landscape construction as a professional Registered Landscape Architect for forty years.
“I am a Fellow Member of the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects. I have been a Registered Landscape Architect #486 since January 7, 1990.
“As Principal of Michael Reeves Landscape Architect, I am responsible for and authorise the release of arborist and landscape architecture reports and services.
“Any opinions expressed by me in this Arborist Report are my own opinions. They have not been prescribed or prepared by any other person.
“Yass Valley Council requested an arborist inspection of two Platanus acerifolia on the Rossi Street nature strip adjacent to 100 Rossi Street and Early Learning on Rossi, Yass.
“Council request identified the following issues…..
“My recommendation is that they be removed as images show not the right tree for under power lines and we are getting complaints for the childcare centre as it is growing onto their building. I believe they are also on the power companies’ list of trees they wish to have removed.
“The tree has experienced continual pruning to remove the tree canopy from adjacent to the power line conductors. The tree is mature with an overextended branch structure. The tree species at maturity can expect a height of 20m. This places the tree in continual conflict with the power supply and necessitates continual pruning. Tree species are not appropriate for this location.
“The elongated and overextended main branches of this tree and the potential for splitting at the attachments on the trunk base contribute to the HIGH-risk assessment for this tree.
“The likelihood of failure is probable. The recommendation is for removal at the earliest opportunity and replacement with a tree species appropriate for the location and powerline constraints.”
The second report was very similar, but labelled it a moderate risk, but still recommended its removal.
While plenty in the community mourn what they believe to be a historic part of the town and an immeasurable asset to Rossi Street especially at such short notice, Council remain firm in their decision that the trees were a risk and had to be removed for public safety at the recommendation of the two reports.
-Jack Murray
