THE Moreton Bay Fig at 195 High Street has been removed from Fremantle council’s Significant Tree Register for the second time this year. 

The 130-year-old tree has been at the centre of a long-winded saga which was re-ignited in February when was removed from the register at the request of the Cattalini family, who own the land the tree is situated on.

The Cattalini family had wanted the tree removed due to its difficult maintenance, and said they did not give permission for it to be put on the register originally. 

Owner Pam Cattalini says the tree has prevented her from selling the property.

The tree was quickly re-registered two weeks later following a large public outcry.

According to the City, the results of an internal investigation as well as “legal advice” suggested the process nearly a decade ago to register the tree was incomplete, as the occupants of the building at 195 High Street had not been notified. 

A review of the register was conducted and presented to the council meeting on Wednesday evening, where officers recommend the tree be retained.

But a majority of councillors including Andrew Sullivan, Jemima Williamson-Wong, Jenny Archibald, Fedele Camarda, and Geoff Graham voted to remove it. 

Councillors Adin Lang, Ben Lawver, and Doug Thompson voted to retain the tree, with mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge a notable absentee alongside councillor Frank Mofflin. 

Ms Fitzhardinge is currently in the United States as part of an AUKUS information tour.

Central Ward councillor Geoff Graham says he is “fundamentally opposed” to the the idea of the Significant Tree Register given the tree is already protected by the Heritage Council. 

“I really don’t understand all this, and I’m not going to try and understand it any more, because I’m totally over it,” Cr Graham said. 

“I just want the pragmatic approach [to be done], to take this tree off the register. 

If we get a development application… to get rid of it then we’ll have to deal with that, but at the moment, this will never go away if we continue to go down this path.”

Speaking at the council meeting on Wednesday night, Ms Cattalini says the saga has been “long and unnecessarily stressful” for her and her family. 

“This tree has cost me a considerable amount of money over the past few years, with repairs to all the buildings, especially roof and battle replacement,” Ms Cattalini said. 

“The ongoing cost will also be upgraded to over $10,000 per year in just the cleaning of the yard, as I refuse to continue doing it myself with my family.”

Speaking to the Herald on Thursday morning, City Ward councillor Adin Lang says he was “still in shock” over the decision to deregister the tree. 

Mr Lang has called for Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge to retract the decision when she returns – seeing the tree back on the register for a third time. 

“I think a rescind motion from the mayor is the best solution,” Mr Lang said. 

“If the mayor decided to return [from the US] and move a rescind motion, I would 100 per cent support that. 

“We need to get this tree back on the register.” 

Mr Lang says he expects another community outcry from the decision, given that his phone had been ringing off the hook since the news broke. 

Local design collective DesignFreo rallied to keep the tree on the register when it was taken off earlier this year, and say they are “dismayed” and “devastated” over the council’s backflip. 

“The Moreton Bay Fig has been a landmark for 140 years,” DesignFreo spokesperson Pippa Hurst said.

“It provides valuable biodiversity, habitat, shade, urban heat reduction, air purification and visual enjoyment. 

“The tree’s visual, ecological, heritage and environmental benefits cannot be replicated… we are its custodians.” 

Ms Hurst says DesignFreo supports Mr Lang’s call for the mayor to put forward a motion to rescind the decision when she returns from the States. 

“Community sentiment was loud and clear when we rallied to keep the tree on the register earlier in the year,” Ms Hurst said. 

“We urge our Council to support the values of our community and the need to protect our dwindling and precious tree canopy.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER