Council announced they plan to remove 70 mature and much loved Pine Trees. This is a big change on the previous agreement to remove trees as the trees get sick or die.

These trees provide food and shelter for native animals such as Black Cockatoos, Sulfur-Crested Cockatoos and Powerful Owls. Council plans to remove the mature pine trees and before any replacement trees can be established.

Retaining the pine trees was highlighted as a major issue for the community in the Future Directions Plan which cost $83,000. The expert advice to Knox over 30 years is to remove the pines as they reach natural end of life. Independent arborists have advised the pine trees could live for another 20 – 30 years.

The pines provide the major shade for the reserve and removal will cause the park to be hotter which will contribute to the urban heat. Council says it will take 15 years for the park to recover. The removal of the mature pines will leave the open spaces barren. We’re in the middle of climate crisis and a hot summer and Council is contributing to make this worse.

The trees are a link to the Daffodil Farm that was in the reserve. The trees link us to our history.

Council has a HUGE deficit of funding. Why should we spend money on this un-necessary project?

In a cost of living crisis is removing mature trees really a priority for our community?

Please contact the Councillors and the Council and tell them this is not what we agreed, or want.

There will be no shade in this area if the pine trees are removed.