A Sydney council will cut down trees and shrubs – including native banksias and acacias – to “restore” ocean views in one of the city’s wealthiest suburbs.
Waverley Council last month voted to tear down the trees in five coastal reserves at Dover Heights, including the removal of a banksia and two dead trees at Diamond Bay Reserve, the removal of dead trees and acacias in Rodney and Raleigh reserves, and the removal of an acacia, three banksias and five dead trees from Weonga Reserve.
Dover Heights local Megan Blumenthal is disappointed that the council is removing native trees. Credit: Janie Barrett
Speaking at the council’s October meeting, Liberal councillor Dov Frazer said the motion to restore “historical view corridors” had the support of most residents who live near the reserves. Residents in the exclusive area include Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim and his brother Fadi Ibrahim.
“The vast majority of residents and visitors who walk in these reserves are keen to watch whales and enjoy the stunning vistas of the ocean along the coastal cliffs,” Frazer said.
Frazer said the wrong acacia subspecies was planted in some reserves, and should instead be replaced with a lower profile shrub.
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On Weonga Road, resident Megan Blumenthal said she and her neighbours were shocked that the council would intentionally remove native vegetation, and disputed the council’s assertion that the trees were blocking views.
“Everyone was quite shocked and horrified – there’s a whole football field of uninterrupted views, this is such a tiny little section,” she said.
Blumenthal, who walks her dog in Weonga Reserve, said there is already a lack of tree canopy in the area and that she wants the council to plant more trees to increase the level of shade. She’s concerned that losing even dead trees from the reserves would remove habitat for coastal birds.