Adelaide City Council committee defers making decision about the fate of 11 historic North Tce trees
An Adelaide City Council committee has held off making a decision about felling 11 historic trees, as an elected member is criticised for staying inside the chamber because his son — SA’s Planning Minister — has involvement in the plan.
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A “chainsaw massacre” at Lot Fourteen has been delayed after an Adelaide City Council committee held off making a decision to fell 11, century-old trees.
The Committee deferred making a formal recommendation to the council about its position because it wanted more information about the State Government project.
It came as Crs Anne Moran and Phil Martin questioned whether Cr Franz Knoll should be in the room because the matter concerned his son, Planning Minister Stephan Knoll.
Mr Knoll told The Advertiser on Friday that 11 trees — some which are listed — faced the axe to upgrade the frontage of the former Royal Adelaide site.
Cr Moran said the trees should stay because they were an important part of the North Tce landscape.
“I urge you to vote against this chainsaw massacre tonight or get more information and vote against the chainsaw massacre in two or three weeks,” Cr Moran told the meeting.
“The government will do what the government does (and remove the trees), and (Cr) Franz (Knoll) I am surprised you stay in the room with these things.
“It is actually my mandated right to point out when I think someone has a conflict of interest.”
In response, Cr Knoll found her views disrespectful.
“I feel somewhat bullied continuously by this sort of stuff, but put that aside,” Cr Knoll said.
In response to the feud, Deputy Lord Mayor Houssam Abiad told Cr Moran, as well as Cr Martin who made reference to Cr Knoll’s son, “to be professional”.
The council voted nine to three to defer the decision to get more information.
Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor pushed for the deferral because there was conflicting information about the life expectancy of the trees.
The government said the trees had about eight years left, while a council arborist said they had about 20 years with proper care.
“Nobody wants to see those heritage trees gone, but I have also read two different reports from arborists so I want a little more information before I make a decision,” Ms Verschoor said.
Cr Robert Simms was disappointed the trees would be kept on “death row for another few weeks”.
“Those trees have survived two World Wars, hopefully they will survive this term of council,” Cr Simms said.
Cr Khera said it made sense to remove then replace the trees while the site was undergoing significant change.
“If we are going to replace trees, as it seems we are going to have to eventually, it makes sense to do it now,” Cr Khera said.
More than double the amount of established plane trees will replace the 10 elm trees.
The council will make a decision at a later date.
Minister Knoll said he wanted the issue resolved “as quickly as possible”.
“The State Government … would welcome a broader discussion regarding the overall master plan for Public Realm and Lot Fourteen,” Mr Knoll said.
“We have a bold ambition for Lot Fourteen and unfortunately there has been some misinformation regarding the trees.”