The Evandale Advisory Committee has raised concerns about the Northern Midlands Council's decision to require the owners of 12 Macquarie Street to remove their heritage hedge.
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The committee noted there was 'a considerable amount of concern and dismay' from the community and suggested solutions to maintain it with regular pruning and trimming instead of removal.
Council's community and development manager Amanda Bond said the hedge took up the entire footpath and impeded vision for motorists.
"[It] impedes vision when turning from Macquarie Street on to Arthur Street," she said.
"An arborist has inspected the hedge and advised if the hedge is cut back hard, it will die.
"The property owners have engaged an arborist who will trim the top of the hedge to cut back any overhang on the road...the hedge is being trimmed twice per year."
The issue was raised in relation to council's overhanging tree policy, which states a fair and consistent approach must be taken to reduction of potential nuisance caused by overhanging trees in the municipality.
The council voted to remove the hedge at its October meeting, before the Evandale committee expressed its concerns.
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Ms Bond said the hedge was located within a heritage precinct and would therefore require planning approval for its removal.
"It is the responsibility of the property owner to bear the cost of the hedge removal," she said.
"Officers are aware of four other hedges of similar nature, two in Evandale and two in Perth.
"If council enforces the removal of one hedge, it will need to ensure consistency and enforce the same decision for all the hedges of a similar nature."
She said it was an ongoing issue each year and five hedges had been identified as obstructing council footpaths or motorists vision.
No community consultation had occurred in regard to the hedge's removal.
The council noted the community concerns over the decision at its November meeting and decided to liaise with affected parties in addition to seeking legal advice on council's obligation to the hedges.
At the council's December meeting, councillor Ian Gonion asked if a decision had been made in regards to the hedge fate.
Council's general manager Des Jennings said the NMC was awaiting legal advice on the matter.
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