• Houses are likely to replace 89 trees, which take up land the size of about 48 tennis courts, as well as about two hectares of open grassed land at the old ovals near the corner of South Street and North Lake Road (the area bordered in red, right). Photo by Emmie Dowling

ALMOST 90 trees in Kardinya used for foraging by the rare Carnaby’s black cockatoo are likely to be chopped down.

Pindan wants to axe 84 pines, three tuarts and a jarrah at two abandoned ovals just north of North Lake senior campus, and develop more than 100 housing lots.

To make up for the loss of habitat, the developers say they will plant marri, jarrah, tuart, and eucalyptus maculata and globlus trees.

According to the developer’s documents the replacement trees will have potential for being “immediate” habitat for the native bird, and will add to six hectares of existing foraging area near South Street and at Murdoch University.

But wildlife expert Eddy Wajon says the trees won’t be good for foraging for at least 25 years.

“Any loss of habitat is not good,” he says. “Murdoch University is losing its trees to development, and it’s happening at many other places, too.”

The 3.5ha block has been earmarked for housing by the state government and Melville council since 2003.

A developer once proposed building a retirement village there.

A woman visiting her parents in the area told the Herald it would be a shame to lose the trees, but housing has long been on the cards. The proposal has been referred to the federal environment department for approval.

by EMMIE DOWLING