Killarney Vale: Trelawney St house plans including tree removal sparks 152 submissions

A decision has been made on the removal of a Norfolk Island pine tree to allow for a new home in Killarney Vale, with the planning panel saying there were “no reasonable alternatives”.

The axe is set to fall on a Norfolk Island pine tree to allow for the knock down and rebuild of a house in Killarney Vale.

The Central Coast Local Planning Panel has unanimously approved $907,000 plans for a new house at 11 Trelawney St following an extraordinary meeting on the issue.

The development application received 152 submissions mainly objecting to the removal of a 60-year-old 19m Norfolk Island tree at the front of the property.

“This matter required the Panel to weigh up the retention of an otherwise healthy tree which may have several decades of life remaining and the damage that the tree has caused and will likely continue to cause to public and private property,” the panel stated in its decision.

“Advice from Council staff and the independent arborist is that any changes, even minor changes, to the ground conditions in the vicinity of the tree will likely result in shortening the life of the tree to approximately 1 to 5 years.

“On balance, the tree will continue to cause public and private property damage and there are no reasonable alternatives both in terms of building design and materials.”

The plans came before the panel in May and were deferred for more information on the tree, alternative designs and flood risks of the development.

They returned to the panel on September 2 with a recommendation from Central Coast Council for approval including removal of the tree.

The tree was listed on the Significant Tree Register in 2021. Picture: NewsLocal

The council report stated that while the tree was put on the Significant Tree Register in 2021, following a local campaign, this did not give it any legal protection. Council also noted that the local campaign to have the tree listed as significant coincided with the house plans being lodged.

“The development application has been supported by an Arboricultural Impact Assessment report, which has concluded that the removal of the subject tree is required to enable the development to proceed,” the report stated.

The assessment indicated that the demolition of the existing garage would most likely damage the tree’s root structure.

Artists impressions of a proposed rear of the house to be built at 11 Trelawney St Killarney Vale.

An independent arborist’s report stated the tree could live for another five years however was causing damage to structures.

In terms of flood impacts, the council stated that the applicant would have to include a

300mm high waterproof wall around the perimeter of the building and have a driveway design to prevent water being directed from the street into the garage.

Submissions received during the public exhibition period mainly focused on objections to the tree removal however there were some concerns about the design of the house.

One of the reasons to save the tree was that it was a “landmark” used by Tuggerah Lakes boaties and fishermen.

The house complies with all the relevant planning rules except for the front setback of the house, however council states that the setback was justified for this development.