Conservation advocates are raising concerns over a golf course redevelopment in South Perth, after council approved the final stage of works in February.
The Royal Perth Golf Club development will include large scale re-turfing as part of general maintenance, and remove mature trees due to safety concerns with the course layout.
The club says the works will benefit the local ecosystem in the long term, with plans to plant native vegetation in place of what is removed.
Co-founder of the South Perth Tree Canopy Advocates Bronwyn David worries the loss of tree cover may lead to a rise in urban temperatures.
“We already have the lowest tree canopy [coverage] of any city in Australia. We’re also the hottest and driest city in Australia, the loss of trees means we’re just going to get hotter and drier,” she says.
South Perth resident Aidan Carlsson says he’s worried about the loss of habitat and food sources for wildlife in the area.
“We’ve got the endangered black cockatoo, that requires certain trees for nesting and also feeding as well,” he says.
“We have to do whatever we can to protect these little pockets of habitat for our black cockatoos, otherwise the next generation aren’t going to have any black cockatoos around.”
Aidan Carlsson
Mr Carlsson says he believes the plan’s approval contradicts the city’s urban greening strategy.
“The removal of trees on public land in general contradicts the city’s own policies and strategies. The first pillar of that urban greening strategy is to protect. It states that the city must protect mature trees and green spaces,” he says.
Under the proposal, the golf club says they have committed to eventually establishing 200 new plants for every tree they remove, planting more native plants to reduce water consumption and increase biodiversity.
In a letter to the City of South Perth Council tabled at a meeting in February, club general manager Craig Ridge said he believes the environmental benefits of the development will be considerable.
Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University Peter Newman says he believes sustainable re-development is possible with the correct consultation. However, he says the majority of the focus should be placed on increasing biodiversity and preserving habitats, and not simply improving the experience for golfers.
Bronwyn David says development isn’t the only threat trees in Perth face.
“The loss of any mature tree for, what is at the end of the day cosmetic reasons, is regrettable,” she says.
The Royal Perth Golf Club was contacted for comment.
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