THE Moreton Bay Fig at 195 High Street was back before Fremantle council this week after a review found officers didn’t follow correct processes when adding it to a Significant Tree Register. 

The review was conducted after the Cattalini family, which owns the property, threatened legal action when their request to remove the enormous fig was at first accepted by the council, but rescinded after a public outcry.

The review concluded the process should be redone so the listing abided by Local Planning Scheme requirements.

At Fremantle council’s meeting on Wednesday night, CEO Glen Dougall conceded the occupants of 195 High Street were not notified about the fig being put on the register. 

“We haven’t been able to demonstrate that we contacted occupiers of the various properties as required under the scheme,” Mr Dougall said. 

Trees along Harvest Grove in North Fremantle and Henderson Road will also be under review for the Significant Tree Register. 

The tree is on a property owned by Pam Cattalini, widow of former Fremantle mayor and pharmacist John Cattalini. 

At Wednesday’s meeting, members of the family were scathing when questioning the council over the Significant Tree Register. 

Ms Cattalini’s daughter Danielle said the council was “ignoring” what’s “at stake” for the Freo community.

“Do you want to go to court on this?” Ms Cattalini questioned the council. 

“We don’t want to go to court, but if we are forced to we will.

“We want everyone to say that you have not followed the process.”

Ms Cattalini acknowledged community effort to protect the tree but said maintening had taken a toll on her elderly mother. 

“Yes, there was a protest with all the people in front of the tree, but where have I been?” she asked. 

“They have not been at one council meeting. We have been here all the time and we have worked with you. 

“We have had people say they’ll do plans to help clean [the area around the tree], and not one has turned up. 

“Yet, my mum is struggling.”

An amendment was passed at the meeting to reanalyse the fig tree’s place on the Significant Tree Register with councillors highlighting the need for council policy to strike a balance between private ownership consent, and the protection of Freo’s tree canopy. 

Fremantle mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge says her heart “goes out” to the Catallini family throughout the ordeal, which was an interesting debate between environmental protection and individual land-ownership rights. 

“It hasn’t been clear for you and I can see the toll it’s taken on the family,” Ms Fitzhardinge said. 

“In my world, heritage trees will be dealt with like heritage property – they’d be assessed for their heritage value and they’d be kept on a list through the heritage system. 

“That would feel much cleaner than this mix up.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER