Two of the landmark Norfolk Island Pines that line Wollongong's foreshore will be chopped down by the council, due to their declining health and possible risk to public safety.
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The council says the trees, believed to be about 90-years-old, have been assessed by qualified arborists over an "extended period"
The first is located at Puckey's Lagoon in Stuart Park, near the car park at the rear of the Lagoon restaurant and the other one is in Andrew Lysaght Park near City Beach.
"After an extended period of monitoring and assessment by Arborists the trees are now deemed a risk to public safety and require removal," the council said.
After an extended period of monitoring and assessment by Arborists the trees are now deemed a risk to public safety and require removal."
- Wollongong council
"In Andrew Lysaght Park the declining pine was identified more than 12 months ago as not being in peak condition. Its deterioration has accelerated over the past six months.
"As it's believed the tree is in poor health and will not improve, it will be removed."
The council has recognised that the pine trees form a part of the prominent line along the City Beach foreshore.
In preparation for age affecting the original pines, it has already planted a series of smaller pines along the eastern side of the carpark in front of the WIN Entertainment Centre to "allow the precinct to retain its current look and feel as the original pines age".
Additionally, the council's Urban Greening Strategy aims to increase the tree canopy in urban city areas, so for every tree removed the council plants two trees.
A number of the Illawarra's Norfolk Island Pine trees - which appear along beachfront areas in the region in locations including Coledale, Austinmer, Wollongong and Windang - have been removed in recent years, as age and disease threatens their health.
Many - including the two to be removed - are part of heritage-listed tree groupings, with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage stating they were typical beachfront plantings of the early 20th century, often with strong links with the development of the township and the development of tourism.
In particular, the City Beach and Stuart Park plantings reflect the developing popularity of North Wollongong as a seaside resort during the 1920s and 30s.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
