Management of the Parks Shopping Centre in Parkwood has cut down five blue gum trees in the adjacent shoppers’ parking area, causing much distress to nature lovers.
Parkhurst resident, Patricia Smith said the trees were decimated insensitively. She claimed there was no permission granted for the trees to be cut down. “These trees provide shade to shoppers who frequent and support the shopping centre,” exclaimed Smith.
“They are close to being heritage tree.”
Tessa Turvey, chairperson of the Parkwood and Saxonwold Residents’ Association said the five heritage trees, which were cut down by the owner of the centre, were in actual fact, dead. She added that there was no legal requirement for the owner to engage the association prior to the exercise.
“I discovered that City Parks did establish that the trees were dead, therefore, the centre owner was given the go-ahead to cut them down,” explained Turvey.
“I also met up with City Parks officials who also confirmed to me that the trees were dead.”
Shopping centre owner, Johann van der Westhuizen said the branches of the dead trees were breaking off, posing a danger to vehicles and drivers in the parking space.
He said he approached City Parks about the problem but no budget was available from the City to cut the trees down. “We had lengthy correspondence over a period of time with the City,” explained Van der Westhuizen.
“When we received permission, we carried out the expensive exercise of cutting the trees down.”
City Park’s Elton Rankin said, “I’m glad the blue gum trees have been cut down. The stumps will remain, after decay in a matter of time and if there will be space, new ones will be planted.”
