More than 100-year-old tree pruned in Busselton despite heritage list push

A tree estimated to be more than 100 years old was partially cut in Busselton last month despite a push to have it listed as a heritage icon.

The giant European ash next to the heritage-listed Phoebe Abby Cottage had several limbs removed by an arborist last month after they were hired by the landowner.

According to council officials it was only because of local residents the work was halted.

City of Busselton director of community planning Gary Barbour said the owner of the property arranged to have the tree pruned.

“Concerned residents arrived at the property while the arborist company was removing limbs from the tree and in response to the community’s concerns, the company decided to halt the work,” Mr Barbour said.

“Members of the public consider (the tree) to be significant to the character of the property and may be of the same age as the cottage.”

Despite the age of the tree and the community’s admiration of it, the landowner will not face repercussions for the pruning.

“Currently, the tree is not under protection of the Heritage Act 2018, and therefore, no legal action can be enforced,” Mr Barbour said.

“Building and trees only gain heritage protection once they have been adopted onto a heritage list.”

In response to the pruning, Cr Anne Ryan put forth a motion at the city’s most recent council meeting to install a plaque on the remainder of the tree to inform the public the tree was being considered for heritage status as an act of good faith.

Cr Ryan said she was “perplexed” when she received a phone call from the heritage consultant informing her the tree was being chopped.

She said the arborist hired by the landowner was “absolutely mortified” when told of the tree’s significance.

“The tree is believed to be planted around 1860, when the cottage was built,” she said.

Mr Barbour said Cr Ryan’s motion did not adhere to the city’s planning framework and signage has not been used on other properties when they were proposed for heritage listing.

However, Cr Ryan said she understood the position, but believed putting a sign up to show councillors cared would go a long way to ensure a similar incident does not occur again.

“All I’m asking is for a sign, to tell the community we care — it is Christmas after all,” she said.

Cr Ryan’s motion lost 5-4, but Mr Barbour said an officer would prepare a report of the proposed heritage listing to be considered by the council in the future.