Elite Perth boys’ school defends clearing trees for tennis courts
A Perth private school is defending a move to clear trees from its Salter Point campus to make way for new tennis courts.
The clearing is part of a $25 million arts development at Aquinas College, including a recital hall and music school. The new performing arts precinct will be built where the current 12 tennis courts are located.
Concerned families estimate 16 mature trees are being chopped.
While concerned nearby residents believe 16 mature trees and six smaller trees were being removed to make way for the new tennis courts, the college refused to confirm to this masthead how many trees were being chopped and what those species were.
In a letter to parents on Monday, Principal Robert Henderson said most of the trees earmarked for removal were semi-mature, juvenile, mostly introduced species and had “limited long-term retention value”.
Neighbour and previous college parent Sue Gillieatt said she felt the “secretive” move was out of touch in an age of concern about Perth’s low and diminishing tree canopy.
“It’s disappointing to see the scale being chopped. It’s been quite a secretive thing. We saw the fencing and pink ribbon going around the trees last week and that was a clue the trees would be lost,” Ms Gillieatt said.
“The question is...where else could [the courts] have gone?”
Mr Henderson told this masthead the removal was necessary for the new development.
“While retention is always prioritised, the removal of the trees is required to facilitate the relocation of the current tennis courts to make way for the new facility,” he said.
Mr Henderson said new trees would be replaced on a one-to-one basis and would be selected under the guidance of arborists to suit the local environmental conditions.
He said the heritage-listed trees and large banksia woodland on campus would be conserved and remain protected.
“Aquinas College is excited about the proposed state of the recital hall and music school precinct and celebrates the bold commitment to the arts,” Mr Henderson said.
“Our focus is on creating a centre of excellence that respects our precious environment, supports our students’ learning and growth, and contributes meaningfully to the future of our society,” he said.
Mr Anderson said shade infrastructure had been incorporated into the planning around the new tennis courts to ensure appropriate cover as replacement trees become established.
The Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel, an independent decision-making body charged with the role of determining applications of a value of $2 million or more, approved the project unanimously in October 2024.
The City of South Perth, as the responsible authority, assessed the application and prepared a report for the DAP to consider.
A City of South Perth spokesperson said the college’s proposal included an environmental mitigation plan.
“The DAP considered the proposal and supporting information and resolved to approve the application,” the spokesperson said.
“The DAPs role is to consider the application on its merits as proposed by the applicant, and not to redesign the proposal.
“The proposal was supported by an arboricultural report and landscape plan provided by the applicant.”
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