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Norfolk pines on Cliff Rd get the chop

BY LAUREL-LEE RODERICK

03 Sep, 2009 05:00 AM

Two mature Norfolk Island pine trees on Cliff Rd that have stood for decades were reduced to tree stumps and woodchips in just a few hours yesterday morning.

Council contractors equipped with chainsaws removed an 8m pine towards the bottom of the hill on Cliff Rd and a much larger tree towering 15-20m opposite Georges Place.

An arborist found the trees were in poor condition and had a short life expectancy, so the decision was made to remove them before work starts on the new 3m-wide Cliff Rd promenade and first viewing platform.

Work on Cliff Rd promenade starts

Two younger Norfolk pines will be planted on the eastern side of the pedestrian crossing, near Georges Place.

Wollongong City Council director of works and infrastructure Peter Kofod said the six other healthy Norfolk pines along the coastal road would be retained.

"The remaining Norfolk Island pines along Cliff Rd will form a prominent feature of the new Blue Mile pathway, with viewing platforms built strategically around them," Mr Kofod said.

"The Blue Mile pathway will take advantage of the magnificent views along Cliff Rd and provide viewing platforms and seating at some of the best locations."

The first stage of the pathway will span from the Belmore Basin promenade to Georges Place and is due to be completed by Christmas.

Temporary fences will be installed along Cliff Rd during construction and some parking will be unavailable.

A permanent fence on the eastern side of the walkway will be installed to replace the old timber one, which does not meet safety standards.

"After summer, the council will start work on the second stretch, reaching from Georges Place, above the Continental Pool, to North Beach," Mr Kofod said.

"Special care will be taken during construction to protect the remaining Norfolk pines along Cliff Rd.

"When the promenade is complete, the council will plant the two younger Norfolk pines."

RELATED COVERAGE

26 Aug 09:

Work on Cliff Rd promenade starts

comments

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So much for public consultation and information regarding these tree removals. The City of Sydney has a policy of attaching signs to trees that are to removed inviting public comment and discussion. No such luck in Wollongong. Blink and they are gone. No time for discussion once they are felled. I hope that Council keeps its promise and does plant replacement trees. Has anyone else noticed the large number of tree removals thoughout the CBD lately ? Look around you will see lots of stumps !! This is a growing concern.

Posted by mark, 3/09/2009 8:05:51 AM

Same goes for the Nthn Suburbs.....the trees are disappearing faster than they can be replace.....I can't understand how people have no appreciation for them. I can't understand how Council let people chop trees down on their own property with virtually NO supervision or checking up on the reasons they give.

Posted by Soot, 3/09/2009 10:01:47 AM

On the other hand, tree in POOR condition can topple over and public will be up in arms if any harm was done, not to mention massive public liability claim should any poor should be injured. If somebody asks me, not enough trees are inspected and culled before disaster strikes. Only down side, SES would not have work after storms.

Posted by Barry, 3/09/2009 10:14:12 AM

Stop your whining. Would you rather one of these monsters falls on your car during a wind storm? Trees of this size and age cause all sorts of issues ranging from cracked roads and footpaths to damaged stormwater pipes. This all need to be repaired at the ratepayers expense. I say rip em out as long as for each tree removed, a new one is planted.

Posted by reality, 3/09/2009 10:30:11 AM

I'm glad that those trees are gone on Cliff Rd. Do you have any idea how dangerous they are to motorists and pedestrians? Traffic driving on the opposite road can't see pedestrians using the crossing. The amount of times I had to step back beacuse of cars not seeing me and the amount of times I've had to do a double take because of the tree blocking my vision is uncountable. So a few trees get lopped down for citizen safety. Big whoop.

Posted by Sheree, 3/09/2009 10:34:58 AM

Good to see that there is some opposition to the tree hugger brigade in this forum. Trees are necessary for our well being , that is a given, however the wrong type of tree in the wrong place is a receipe for disaster. Large Eucalypts, Gums and Norfolk Pines have no place in the built up urban areas, especially not on private properties and footpaths. They are fantastic in Parks and the wide open spaces and there they are protected, in National Parks they are magnificent and must be looked after. In this instance Council used common sense and did the job without the lengthy debate with the do gooders as to whether they can or cannot remove these trees. That is what Council is there for.

Posted by Johne, 3/09/2009 11:06:00 AM

For God's Sake. No one ever thinks of these things before hand. I get really angry when people cut down trees, regardless of whether or not they plant new ones. I mean, on my street, they've just cut down a bunch of trees because they were dangerous. And they replaced them. With the EXACT same species of tree. Surely the sensible thing to do would be plant different trees? Eventually, these ones will have to be cut down again. Why don't we ever just think about the effects our actions will have on the future??

Posted by Spooty, 3/09/2009 12:58:20 PM

Have any of you tree haters ever heard of a SULE Rating (safe useful life expectancy) for trees? I suspect that these pines were cut down because they did not fit in with the Blue Mile design. I do not think that they were removed for safety reasons. How they affected a driver's visibility is way beyond my comprehension. Why would anyone have a set against a tree hugger? Trees are good for our environment. There is a big difference between being green and caring about the built enevironment and being a so called extremist 'greeny'. So much for Wollongong's heritage. A greater safety concern is the cracking footpath on the east side of Cliff Road (no where near a tree). The stability of the clay and rock face is a worry. Council's wisdom in removing the native vegetation from the cliff face in the late 90's is questionable, especially given the forest of bitou bush that is now growing there. The weeds will make for spectacular viewing once the new pathway and viewing platforms are completed.

Posted by mark, 3/09/2009 5:17:59 PM

Did anyone else but council happen to see the arborist report and did they happen to get any other independant reports from other arborist backing this up!!!!

Posted by Curious, 3/09/2009 5:50:12 PM

Mark says it all - it is a disgrace that WCC removes more trees than they plant - all our trees are removed because they are diseased - this is nonsense - trees take many years to reach maturity. The community must be informed as to when a tree is to be removed. From Mt. Keira Lookout to the ocean at Cliff Rd, trees are constantly removed.

How about getting back to the green corridor that was established under Arkell.

Posted by greenie, 3/09/2009 7:54:26 PM

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