[ See also: The three large Aleppo pines in Penneshaw should not be cut down — Shearman, Elizabeth, 2012.09.17 ]

2013.01.02

I did not support the removal of the Aleppo Pines due to inadequate information available at the meeting, as I have a responsibility under Section 6(a) of the Local Government Act 1999, to be informed in relation to the business before the Council (http://www.theislanderonline.com.au/story/1183934/new-bid-to-save-pines/?cs=1525 ).  Following concerns expressed to me recently, I am now seeking this information through ‘questions on notice’ (below*) at the January 2013 Council meeting as expected by the community to clarify my position in this matter.

* Notice was given on 23 December 2012 in accordance with Clause 10(1) of the local Government (Procedures at meetings) Regulations 2000. 

Cr Liu

Questions on Notice

January Meeting of Council (16/1/2013)

Re: Removal of Aleppo Pines, The Lane at Penneshaw

Question 1:

I understood that an ‘inspection report’ on the Aleppo Pines adjacent to the Penneshaw netball courts was undertaken a few years ago by the former Asset Services General Manager, Mr Rowley to ascertain the problems created by these trees and in light of recent publicity on the removal of these Aleppo Pines, could Council make available for public inspection, a copy of this report, as this document was not provided at the September 2012 Council Meeting nor mentioned in the agenda report for Elected Members to make an informed decision on the removal of these trees?

Question 2:

What was the finding of the ‘inspection report’ and did the report recommend or support the removal of these Aleppo Pines?   If so, was the reason for the removal of these trees due mainly to the root system causing structural problems to the netball courts?

Question 3:

Have other remedial measures other than removing these trees to minimize the problems associated with the tree roots and pine needles been investigated?  If so, what were the remedial options considered and why was Council not informed of these options during the consideration of the removal of these trees at the September 2012 meeting?

Question 4:

What is the contract price for the removal of these Aleppo Pines and does the price include the removal and disposal of tree stumps and problem roots and reinstatement of the affected verge area?  What is the additional cost to the ratepayers if these extra items are not included in the price?

Question 5:

How will the cost of removing these Aleppo Pines be funded from Council’s current budget?  If the expenditure is to be allocated from the Parks & Recreation maintenance budget, what impact will it have on the overall services in this area of operation, in particular the maintenance of reserves and verges in the township of Penneshaw?

Question 6:

Who is responsible for the maintenance and structural repairs of the netball courts?  If it is not Council’s responsibility, on what justification should the ratepayers of Kangaroo Island meet the cost of the removal of these Aleppo Pines which were alleged to have caused cracking on the court surface, when these trees were planted well before the netball courts were built?

Question 7:

Did Council have a geotechnical report or assessment to verify that the alleged cracks on the netball courts was as a result of the tree roots and not of other causes?  If so, could this report be made available for public perusal?

Question 8:

If the answer to ‘question 7’ above is NO, on what grounds could Council conclusively determine that the tree roots were the sole cause to the cracking of the court surface and not due to other factors that could result in pavement failure, such as inadequate pavement thickness, unstable sub-grade, lack of surface drainage, substandard materials used for base construction, etc?

Cr Ken Liu
Kangaroo Island Council
P O Box 80, KINGSCOTE  SA  5223
Ph: (08) 8553 2823   Mobile: 0428 322 005
Email: ken.liu@bigpond.com