Appropriate Trees for Bradfield St, Downer

Subject:
Appropriate Trees for Bradfield St, Downer
Eligibility:
Residents of ACT
Sponsoring member:
Ms Elizabeth Lee MLA
No. of Signatures:
322
Posting Date:
Closing Date:
2/11/2022
Tabled:
22/11/2022
Referred to Minister:
22/11/2022
Responded to:
Information about the Principal Petitioner is available through the sponsoring Member of the Legislative Assembly's office
TO: The Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly
Reason for this Petition

The following residents of the ACT draw to the attention of the Assembly that there is a significant contradiction between the ACT strategic plan for climate change and separate specifications concerning urban street tree planting, and the ACT Heritage Council's decision regarding the choice and positioning of replacement heritage pine trees in Bradfield St, Downer. These take no account of strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change, and no cognisance of government advice that the trees now planted are inappropriate in an urban setting.

The heritage value of the former CS&IR Dickson Experiment Farm is well-represented in the open space of the Downer ovals, the 400m of heritage windbreak trees that will remain after developments on Bradfield and Melba Streets, and in the retention of the former farm buildings that now comprise Downer Village.

Residents have no avenue to appeal the Heritage Council decision. Neither the local elected representatives including the responsible Minister, nor the government can intervene on behalf of constituents.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to call upon the Government to ensure the removal of the new pine trees, to be replaced with appropriate deciduous trees for the front of all north-facing buildings in the developments of both "The Bradfield" stages 1 and 2 and the yet to be approved Goodwin Village on Bradfield Street, Downer.