April 24 2018 Opposition calls on Government to protect historic trees The State Opposition has called on the McGowan Government to provide an assurance that Aleppo pines at Kitchener Park, sown and raised in Kitchener Park from seeds from Ansea in Gallipoli, will be protected as part of the construction of the new high school in Subiaco. Member for Nedlands Bill Marmion raised concerns in Parliament recently that the location of the trees meant they could be destroyed as part of school’s construction. “The Government needs to immediately provide an assurance to Western Australians that these historically important trees will be protected,” Mr Marmion said. “In 1924, Alexander Bruce, who was the curator of parks and gardens for the Subiaco Council, organised for a number of Australian native seedlings from his nursery to be sent to the Imperial War Graves Commission at Gallipoli. “These became the first Australian plantings among the graves of fallen Australians in Gallipoli and the plantings are still there today. “In exchange, Mr Bruce received a number of seeds from Ansea, Gallipoli, including Aleppo pines, which were then both sown and raised in Kitchener Park. Many current pines in WA and Australia originated from those original trees in Kitchener Park.” Mr Marmion said there is a concern by many in the community that the historical value of trees among the Kitchener Park area were now under threat. “This includes a row of Aleppo pines along Coghlan Rd that were among the seeds brought back from Gallipoli, and hold great historical significance to the people of Subiaco and WA,” Mr Marmion said. “A school drop-off point is planned for Coghlan Rd and that will require a number of trees in that area to be destroyed.” Shadow Minister for Veterans Issues’ Tjorn Sibma said it would be deeply disrespectful to destroy the trees. “The change of school plans were no doubt rushed and it seems the Government had not considered the significance of these trees when they came out with their new plans,” Mr Sibma said. “This should not be a difficult decision for the Government. They must immediately make an assurance, on the centenary of the end of the First World War that these trees will be protected. The Opposition has launched a petition to protect the Aleppo Pines at: https://www.petition.org.au/aleppo-pines Media Contact |
