When the Corinthian Court retirement village was approved in 2016, preserving the tuart tree (Eucalyptus gomphocephala) was a condition – despite its towering status as one of southwest Australia’s forest giants.
Today, the 40-plus-year-old tuart is estimated to be about 18 metres tall, with a trunk diameter of about 1m and a canopy extending 15m, standing only metres away from adjacent homes at the village in Kingsley, 20km north of Perth's CBD.
Residents have raised ongoing safety concerns about the tree since a 63-signature petition was presented to the Council last May, stating frequent falling branches and large nuts were creating hazardous walking conditions for the elderly community, some of whom rely on walking aids, and was impacting their quality of life.
Masonic Care WA, which owns and operates the retirement village, offered to cover the costs of the tree’s removal and replacement.
“Whilst it is acknowledged that there are concerns around pedestrian mobility issues due to impacts associated with falling nuts and debris, removal of the tree would result in a broader loss of amenity and canopy coverage,” City of Joondalup officers stated.
