Hobsons Bay council has adjusted its plans to remove and replace all of the Norfolk Island Hibiscus trees along Twyford Street in Williamstown, following a petition received from Williamstown residents earlier this year.
Also known as lagunaria patersonia or ‘itchy bomb’ trees, the trees’ seed capsules were known to cause respiratory and skin irritation and the trees would be replaced with more suitable species which offer greater canopy cover without the risk to human and animal health.
During its meeting on Tuesday, the council passed a motion to implement the replacement program with a revised focus on only replacing trees which are directly affecting residents.
Hobsons Bay councillor Jonathon Marsden said the revised plan would hopefully meet the demands of residents for and against the removal of the trees.
“The revised plan will not include the wholesale removal of lagunaria, but will only remove those trees which are directly adjacent to those properties and causing health risks and other problems of amenity to those people living in those houses,” he said.
“This suffering is real and has to be balanced against the plans that the council has to increase canopy.”
Cr Marsden said the removal plan would also see the removed trees replaced with mature trees at a ratio of two to one.
Matthew Sims
