A flooded gum tree has been removed from Ruskin Rowe in Avalon by Northern Beaches Council on 30 July, following a lengthy battle with local residents and environmentalists to save the 70-year-old tree. A second Blue Gum tree has had a reprieve for the time being and has had some pruning.
Ruskin Rowe was barricaded, NSW police were present, and the name of the tree company was blocked out on its vehicles. Locals, including Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy and Danielle Bressington (pictured below right), watched on in despair as the tree was removed. A representative from WIRES wildlife rescue attended the removal of the tree to watch for displaced wildlife.
“We’re at the end of the road now, and it’s incredibly sad,” said Chelsea Baker, a founding member of community group Canopy Keepers. “When you see the huge gap in the canopy and the sky is opening up, whereas before it was just a beautiful, shaded canopy.”
“The whole street has been designated a heritage conservation area. It’s a tree corridor, so the wildlife needs those trees for feeding and protection. Once the animals are down on the ground, they have no protection, so they’re very vulnerable.”
Back in early 2024, a Ruskin Rowe gum had dropped a branch, which prompted council to investigate a possible public safety risk. Council’s arborist found that four of the trees on Ruskin Rowe posed a serious risk and removal was recommended. An independent arborist contracted by council also recommended removal. A third arborist reviewed the previous assessments, and contractors removed two gum trees in June 2024. Local environmentalists blockaded the other two gums, which have been on death ‘rowe’ ever since.
Council received a further arborist’s report earlier this year, and notified residents of Ruskin Rowe on 24 July of the planned removal of the Flooded Gum tree the following week, but did not specify which day.
Ms Baker said the whole operation felt ‘a bit covert.’
“We’re accepting if the process is transparent, but it hasn’t been,” Ms Baker said. “I’ve asked several questions of the council in the past week, and they have not been answered.”
“I’ve asked about the legislation that they’re relying on to have this tree removed, if a DA had been put in, if there were consent orders, what authority they have to remove the tree, who is the person that signed off on this, and I haven’t had any answers.”
Council released a statement on 30 July, saying it supports retaining trees while also considering community safety.
“Council has sought the advice of a number of expert arborists in order to assess the health and viability of two large trees situated along Ruskin Rowe. Detailed inspections of both trees have been undertaken, considering their structural integrity, health and potential risks,” the statement said.
“Unfortunately, it has been determined that one tree has significant safety risks while the other tree could be retained if a number of mitigation measures are undertaken. The unsafe tree is being removed today and will be replaced with an advanced, locally indigenous species.”
Council said it would be taking mitigation measures to save the Blue Gum and would be monitoring the tree.