• Above: Elsa, 5, mum Steph Jennings and fellow White Gum Valley Community Orchard group member David Jenkins regroup after the theft of newly planted tropical fruit trees at their Samson Street site: Photo by Emmie Dowling
FRUIT trees planted by local families have been stolen from a White Gum Valley community garden, leading to calls for improved security.
Some time last Saturday night, thieves plucked out 13 advanced trees from the orchard near Hazel Orme Kindergarten, on Samson Street.
The trees were planted two weeks ago by dozens of local families who’d raised about $500 to buy the plants through cake sales and donations.
The thieves’ haul includes mango, banana, avocado, papaya, tamarillo, lychee, ironbark, mandarin and lemon trees. Only a few pineapples and a solitary pomelo were left behind.
“People could have picked some fruit,” community garden member David Jenkins says. “That’s no drama.”
Fellow member Janet Horabin chimes in: “But not the whole tree.”
The theft’s been reported to police and Fremantle council.
The sign tells it like it is. Photos by Emmie Dowling
Security options include surveillance cameras, blocking the Samson Street entry to vehicles and installing physical barriers in gardens to make it “very hard” to remove plants.
“For obvious reasons, we don’t want to give away too much about how those barriers will work,” Steph Jenkins says.
The extra security is estimated to cost $4500, plus the cost of replacing plants.
“It’s a considerable amount,” Ms Jenkins says. “But we’re determined to create a flourishing orchard.”
The group reckons the theft was a one or two-person job, the culprits likely knew their trees and they’re destined for sale.
Mayor Brad Pettitt, who’d planted a lemon tree at the orchard, says the council will foot part—“if not all”—the replacement bill.
He says council staff will check to see if there’s anything useful at its depot, such as frames or fences that can keep costs down. “There’s a market for fruit trees, especially semi-mature ones like those stolen at the garden,” Dr Pettitt says. “So unfortunately this kind of thing does happen.”
The group is keen for 12 more families to join to strengthen its team. To become a member or to make a donation, email the White Gum Valley Community Orchard group via wgvorchard@gmail.com or visit http://www.wgvorchard.org.
by EMMIE DOWLING
