Trees cut down in Dee Why for two 17-storey residential development towers

THE removal of longstanding brush box trees from a northern beaches street — by developer Meriton Group — has outraged residents.

Workers remove one of the trees. Picture: Supplied

THE removal of longstanding brush box trees from a street at Dee Why — by developer Meriton Group — has outraged residents.

Multiple trees were removed from a footpath in Oaks Ave on Thursday as a result of the group working with Northern Beaches Council to improve the public domain surrounding its latest development, the Lighthouse project.

Dee Why residents are up in arms over the removal of old oak trees on Oaks Avenue. Picture: Supplied

A Meriton Group spokeswoman said all necessary approvals were obtained, including for the removal of specific trees, for the duration of construction of the development — consisting of 351 units across two 17-storey residential towers — in Howard and Oaks avenues.

“Those trees will be replaced with mature trees nominated by Northern Beaches Council,” she said.

Workers removing the trees. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

The council’s general manager for environment and infrastructure Ben Taylor said trees were removed as a result of the development application (DA) submitted by Meriton Group.

It included the removal and replacement of certain trees in Oaks Ave, he said, and was consistent with the council’s Dee Why Town Centre Masterplan, which was established in 2010.

Mr Taylor said 13 mature, healthy Chinese elm trees would then be planted to replace the brush box trees, along with garden beds and other low-growing plants.

Works for the new development. Picture: Supplied

“On this occasion these trees unfortunately needed to be removed as they were damaging the pavement, creating trip hazards in the footpath and causing damage to kerbs and drainage,” Mr Taylor said.

“Their removal also improves access and safety along this section of road while enhancing the pedestrian experience through the Dee Why Town Centre.”

Despite the reasoning, northern beaches resident Amanda Bazarow said the removal was damaging to the aesthetics of the area and “completely unnecessary”. She was on her way to the supermarket when she witnessed the tree removal taking place.

Workers near one of the cut trees. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

“This is really upsetting and I am absolutely bloody shattered,” she said. “These trees were planted on Oaks Ave for a reason — if they all get removed, are they also going to change the name of the street, too?

“They’re beautiful and they’ve been here for as long as I can remember.”

According to Mr Taylor, the council will plant an additional 15 trees along the Meriton frontage of Pittwater Rd and Howard Ave.

New trees will also be planted in structured soil and inside a strata vault — allowing them to grow, maintain good health and minimise future damage to new infrastructure. New paving will then follow, along with seats, lighting and bike tracks, he said.