A CAMPAIGN to save mature trees at Hilton Reserve won overwhelming support at a City of Fremantle special electors meeting this week.

Three motions calling for greater protection of the city’s urban canopy were passed at the packed Town Hall meeting, which was sparked by the council’s plans to create a junior AFL oval on the reserve. 

The meeting had more than 30 speakers, with campaigners surprised by the strength of the vote after a concerted effort to inform residents through leaflet drops, posters, social media and stalls at local markets.

A motion moved by former White Gum Valley precinct convenor Mark Woodcock called on the council to immediately halt all clearing and mature tree removals across Fremantle, specifically including the proposed destruction of mature trees at Hilton Reserve. It also called for future infrastructure, sports and masterplan developments to be redesigned to prioritise 100 per cent retention of mature urban canopy.

Campaign organiser Emma Geary said it had involved considerable work to reach residents who might not otherwise have been aware of the issue.

“A lot of effort went into getting people informed,” she said.

“There were people putting up posters, and we had people down at the South Fremantle farmers markets; there was a tent there last weekend, and also at the Hilton Harvest.”

The meeting was also notable for the number of people who left after Mr Woodcock’s motion was successfully passed.

“It was a resounding success,” Ms Geary said.

“After that, the football people started leaving in droves.”

She said the remaining crowd still filled much of the lower ground floor when a motion from Andrew Burton was considered.

Pause

Mr Burton’s motion called for the council to pause and investigate alternative opportunities, including the use of school ovals, before proceeding with the proposed works.

A further motion called for better communication between the council and the community before trees were removed.

“I thought it was a good overarching type of motion, and that got voted up as well,” Ms Geary said.

The campaign had initially raised concerns that the football clubs supporting the Hilton Reserve development would have greater influence over the council’s decision-making than local residents.

“Honestly, I thought the sports clubs were the majority, just by the tone of the speeches,” Ms Geary said.

“I also felt that the CEO had more of an ear for them than us, but that’s maybe my interpretation.”

She said the meeting had instead demonstrated strong community opposition to removing mature trees.

“It was really unbelievably a landslide in favour of the trees. It was so heartening. It was really good.”

For Ms Geary the campaign’s work is not over.

“But now the hard work happens,” she said.

The campaigners had considered petitioning the council to ensure the motions were formally considered at its next meeting, but had decided against it after speaking with councillors Pip Slaughter and Fedel Camarda.

“They both said, ‘Don’t worry about doing that. We will definitely speak to these issues at the council meeting’.

“So, on that basis, we didn’t go ahead with the petition. I hope we don’t live to regret it, but we do have their word.”

Ms Geary said the campaign had gained momentum and that the strength of support at the electors meeting appeared to have surprised some councillors.

“I think the strength of the display of voting at the special electors’ meeting was — I could see them looking a little bit amazed at the strength.”

by STEVE GRANT