More trees are facing the chop in Perth’s southern suburbs under plans by Aquinas College to build 12 new tennis courts.
The tennis court development is part of a $25 million project for a new recital hall and music centre, hockey building, tennis courts and a university facility which was approved by the Metro Inner Development Assessment panel last October.
The college’s existing tennis courts will be relocated and replaced, while the school’s northern car park will be reconfigured to create more car bays.
The South Perth Tree Advocates Facebook page said the removal of the “significant area of canopy” would come at a considerable cost to the school and the surrounding community “in terms of loss of amenity, shade and cooling, habitat and more”.
“You can’t play tennis if you can’t breath and it’s stinking hot,” one comment said.
“I find this absolutely sickening and unacceptable,” another added.
A temperature map shared on the post showed on a summer day in the low 30s, the temperature under the trees would be significantly lower than the hard courts.
Camera IconA heat map showing the shade the trees provide to the area. Credit: Facebook
According to the college’s plans, offset planting will reflect the number of trees removed and the “initial loss of amenity and biomass”.
“New trees should be of long-term potential and sourced from a reputable supplier,” the plans state.
“A replacement quota of one-to-one (minimum) for all trees proposed for removal as part of this development is recommended.”
Aquinas College confirmed that trees, most of which were classified as semi-mature or juvenile with limited retention value, would need to be removed to make way for their performing arts facility.
Principal Robert Henderson said the “landscape plan” had been approved by the City of South Perth.
Camera IconTrees will need to be removed for the proposed design. Credit: ArborPlan
“While retention is always prioritised, the removal of the trees is required to facilitate the relocation of the current tennis courts to make way for the new facility,” he said.
“Our focus is on creating a centre of excellence that respects our precious environment, supports our students’ learning and growth, and contributes meaningfully to the future of our society.”
An arboricultural impact assessment prepared for the college provided recommendations to protect trees on development sites. It said many of the trees being removed were introduced species and all replacement trees would suit local environmental conditions.
A minimum one-to-one tree replacement policy has been adopted.
Aquinas College said that they have also considered shade and sun-safety for its community, having shade infrastructure incorporated into the planning of the new tennis courts.
The City of South Perth said the Metro-Inner Development Assessment Panel approved alterations and additions to Aquinas College, including carpark expansion and new tennis courts.
“The works required removal of trees, supported by an arboricultural report and landscape plan from the applicant.” the city said.
“The panel approved the application, subject to a condition requiring an updated landscaping plan detailing all trees and plants to be retained or removed.”