Removal of Trees on Rossi Street, Yass

Update - Friday 11 July

Tree Removal Works on Rossi Street, Yass

We have been advised that tree removal works will take place on Friday 11 July, on Rossi Street, Yass, carried out by Essential Energy contractors. Safety barriers and a traffic management plan will be in place to ensure the safety of the public and workers while the work is underway.

Council acknowledges the public concern regarding the removal of the established trees. This decision follows expert advice from an independent arborist and safety concerns raised by Essential Energy, local residents and Council staff. Details of the decision making process and arborists reports are below.

Council has kept local residents informed throughout this process and appreciates the community’s understanding. CEO Gayleen Burley and YVC Directors met with concerned residents to discuss mitigation options and explain that the trees are not identified as heritage items under the Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 (LEP).

Once the removal is complete, Council will consult with residents about suitable replacement species that are safe to plant near overhead powerlines. These new plantings will help restore the street shade and character of the area, with species chosen for their ability to live sustainably with the electricity infrastructure.

Essential Energy have committed to provide Council with four trees to replant along Rossi Street as well as two London Plane trees to be planted in a more suitable open space environment.

BACKGROUND

Council acknowledges the public concern regarding the removal of two London Plane trees and one White Cedar tree on Rossi Street, Yass.

Whilst we wish to preserve our valuable street trees where-ever possible, independent arborist recommendations and public safety concerns have necessitated the removal of these trees.

London Plane Trees: Council received tree management requests from a resident and Essential Energy. Vegetation can pose a hazard to the safe operation of the electricity network in the form of grow-in, blow-in or fall-in hazards. Consequences of contact between vegetation and the electricity network include, but are not limited to electric shock, bushfire ignition and power outages. Essential Energy advised that the trees were incompatible with nearby infrastructure, as they were continually growing toward the poles, multiple services, and mains power supply.

In response, Council engaged an independent arborist to assess the condition of the London Plane trees. The assessment concluded that there was a high risk of the main branches splitting from the trunk, with a probable likelihood of failure. The arborist recommended removal at the earliest opportunity. They also advised that the trees be replaced with species more suitable for the location and its overhead powerline constraints.

White Cedar Tree: A request from essential Energy was made to remove the White Cedar tree due to similar concerns about its incompatibility with overhead powerlines. As Council workers were concerned that the Cedar was beginning to develop the same structural issues as the London Plane trees, Council approved the request and also sought an independent arborist assessment.

The three trees were determined to pose a high public safety risk. With the independent arborist’s recommendation for immediate removal, Council was compelled to act and, with the help of Essential Energy, works were scheduled to proceed. Council received confirmation on Thursday, 15 May that Essential Energy contractors planned to commence removal works during the week beginning 20 May. In line with this, Council notified the community on Friday, 16 May through Facebook posts and letterbox drops (in accordance with Council’s guidelines on appropriate community engagement measures to ‘inform’ affected residents of necessary works). We have now been advised that this will commence on Friday 11 July.