Western Harbour Tunnel tree removal met with anger

Workers have moved in to fell hundreds of mature trees on Sydney’s north shore to make way for a major infrastructure project. But locals are not going to take it lying down.

It’s the chainsaw massacre of Sydney’s north shore that has sparked outrage among local residents with some left “in tears” and joining a petition signed by more than 800 people.

Dozens of trees have started to be removed along the route of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade as part of early works for the multi-billion dollar project.

Approved plans for the project show 575 trees are scheduled to be removed along with a further 181 trees identified as having “potential to be impacted” requiring “careful management to avoid impacts where possible”.

A photo of removal works in Cammeray.

A petition calling for a halt on tree removal was started as trees began to be felled in late August at sites including Cammeray Golf Club, Ernest St and Anzac Park.

The bulk of the trees removed to date have been to make way for works on gas and utility cables along with site preparation for new construction zones.

The petition had 832 signatures as of Wednesday with objectors raising concerns over loss of canopy, the removal of established trees and fears replacement trees will take decades to regrow.

North Sydney councillors have also taken a unanimous stance against the felling, with last week’s meeting resulting in a motion for a temporary pause on further tree removal until community engagement meetings were held with residents.

Removal works began last month.

Mayor Jilly Gibson said many residents were unaware of the works until contractors turned up.

Cr Gibson said she has since met with project directors who have agreed to consider replacing all trees removed with mature varieties, rather than saplings.

Conditions of the project's approval will also require “as many existing trees as possible to be retained” and for two trees to be replanted for each one removed.

Councillor Zoe Baker told the North Shore Times she had been inundated with calls from residents left gobsmacked by the removal.

An overview of the Western Harbour Tunnel (in blue) and proposed Beaches Link (in yellow).

A map showing all trees (in circles) within the project corridor.

“Some people had known about it and had been active in the campaign and it was everything they expected and feared, and there have been other people who weren’t aware it was coming and have been absolutely devastated,” she said.

“Both groups have been shocked by the sheer number removed. I’ve had people on the phone literally crying about it.

“They’re real mature, significant trees and I’ve never encountered so many people anguished about the loss of trees.

“The other concern is these are just early works (for the tunnel project). There are going to be even more works and tress loss in the next phase extending from the southern part of the council area through to the Willoughby local government area.

The Western Harbour Tunnel will connect the north shore to the inner west.

“The trees form really important bushland corridors for habitat and are 40, 50, 60 years old. They can’t be replaced.”

In a statement, Transport for NSW said it acknowledges tree removal is a “sensitive community issue”.

“(The department) is committed to minimising the environmental impact of this work. The project will not have a significant impact to threatened flora species or any threatened ecological communities. The re-establishment of trees and plants will occur as part of the project,” a spokesman said.

“Transport for NSW will be replacing any removed trees and plants at a ratio of 2:1. This will deliver an increase to the tree canopy in the area, providing additional shade to footpaths and cycle paths.

“There is a continued commitment to minimise tree removal, working in consultation with North Sydney Council. We are investigating the use of mature trees in subsequent landscaping strategies.”