Fury in Mount Barker as 27 trees planted for World War I Diggers to be felled for new hospital
Cherished trees that once memorialised WWI soldiers will be torn out for a vital hospital expansion, amid an argument over who was told and when.
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Mount Barker residents are fuming after they learnt almost 30 trees planted for the town’s former World War I Avenue of Honour will be removed for the new hospital.
In a surprise announcement on Australia Day, the local council said Department of Transport workers would remove 27 desert ash trees on Wellington Road from Tuesday to support the town’s new hospital development.
Mount Barker Council’s Facebook post let loose a flood of comments from angry locals who still cherished the trees despite the memorial avenue being decommissioned by the RSL 12 years ago and moved to a nearby park.
The locals said “this is not moving forward in the right direction”, the trees provided “much needed shade” and the council had chosen a “great day to announce this”.
Another said one of the trees was planted for her ancestor, who served in WWI, and “the destruction of this memorial is incredibly painful for the families of who they represent”.
Replying on Facebook to comments, the council urged residents to direct their complaints to DIT, saying it was only made aware of the works late on Friday afternoon and it sometimes “gets very short notice from DIT”.
Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network chief executive Bronwyn Masters said “elected members and executive staff were briefed about the required tree removal as part of the consultation in early and mid-2024”.
She said an application to remove the trees was made to the council before Christmas, and the council granted approval on Friday.
A council spokesman disputed that, saying a “general presentation” given to the council by government in October “was not a formal session” and specified neither the number of trees to be removed nor a timeframe.
He said council provided the removal permit on Friday after an officer undertook “a comprehensive on-site assessment”.
Ms Masters said the tree removal would improve traffic flow and provide a clear view to safely turn on and off Wellington Rd.
“Additional trees will be planted as part of the project redevelopment, with at least 27 trees to be replaced by more trees within the hospital precinct,” she said.
Mount Barker & District Residents’ Association chairman Douglas McCarty said he “greatly regrets” the removal of trees but it was necessary for the hospital redevelopment.
He said the trees’ removal would open up more driving space on Wellington Rd, preventing major traffic problems along the busy road that would be worsened as the hospital attracted more traffic.
Construction on the new $320.8m Mount Barker Hospital started in December. It will triple the present hospital’s inpatient capacity from 34 to 102 beds and introduce a new 12-bed mental health unit.
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