St Peter’s College takes Norwood, Payneham, St Peter’s Council to court over refusal to allow gum tree to be axed

ELITE private school St Peter’s College is locked in a battle with the local council over plans to axe a river red gum tree from its grounds.

St Peter's College school logo. peters

ELITE private school St Peter’s College is locked in a court battle with a council over plans to axe a river red gum tree from its grounds.

The college has appealed to the Environment Resources and Development Court over Norwood, Payneham and St Peter’s Council’s refusal to approve the tree’s removal from its Pembroke St carpark at Hackney.

In its reasons for refusing St Peter’s removal request in April, the council’s development assessment panel said the “significant tree” made an important contribution to the character of local streets.

“The subject tree is in good health and is not considered to represent an unreasonable risk to public or private safety,” a refusal letter sent to the college said.

The college, which has begun staging a building masterplan on its grounds, has appealed the decision.

The matter will return to court at a later date.