Site preparation for a new junior football oval at Hilton Park has started, with a fence installed around the work area. By Friday, 25 mature trees and 10 saplings had been removed after an ecologist inspected the trees and nests. Two active crested pigeon nests were moved to a wildlife carer, while a magpie nest remains in a Norfolk Island Pine still on site. That pine will be removed once the ecologist confirms the nest is no longer in use. Timber and mulch from the work will be reused.
Residents of Risby Street in Ulverstone, Tasmania, are opposing a Central Coast Council plan to remove 25 historic elms this month as part of a road renewal project. Locals say the loss of the canopy could lower property values and make the street less attractive. A Ray White economist said tree-lined streets are generally seen as more desirable and can add value to nearby homes. Some residents, however, say the ageing trees cause problems. Council candidates have called for the works to wait until after the upcoming council elections, but the council says the project remains on schedule.
Tree removal has begun at Hilton Park in Fremantle, despite a long campaign by residents opposed to the plan. Work started on Tuesday, with 26 trees to be removed, including historic Norfolk pines. Residents gathered in protest and described the loss as the most significant to the area's tree canopy in 70 years. Former council candidate Mark Woodcock and a Stirling councillor, Lisa Thornton, criticised the decision. The council has promised to plant at least 61 native trees to replace the lost canopy.
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Police have arrested two protesters during a stand-off over the removal of culturally significant trees on the Western Highway in western Victoria. The 12-kilometre duplication between Buangor and Ararat has long been contentious because the trees are sacred to Djab Wurrung people. Yaraan Couzens-Bundle said about 20 protesters at the site opposed removing any culturally significant trees and did not endorse a cultural management plan approved in March. Police said a man and a woman were arrested for refusing to leave a restricted access area and were released pending summons.
Douglas Shire Council will remove a mature fig tree beside the playground at Rex Smeal Park in Port Douglas. Arborist assessments found significant structural defects, including cracking and deterioration, and the tree cannot be saved. Removal is necessary for public safety. The area will be cordoned off from Monday 19 October 2026, with removal works starting on Tuesday 20 October and expected to finish before the weekend. Council plans to transplant mature fig trees to the site and install shade sails over the playground.
Residents in outer Adelaide suburbs hold mixed views on plans to remove nearly 400 trees in the parklands for a new MotoGP circuit. Some, including Lucy Cunningham and Dave, oppose the tree removal and want the money spent on planting instead. Others, such as Brendan Truman and Kathleen Hill, accept or support the project. The Adelaide Parklands Association is holding Stop the Chop protests in several suburbs. Premier Peter Malinauskas says the state government has partnered with the Australian Conservation Council and will replace trees on a 10-to-1 basis.
Residents in Wembley Downs watched as chainsaws began cutting down a 36-year-old verge tree on the corner of Dover Crescent and Buxton Road, despite pleas to delay the removal. Environmental scientist Adelaide Bevilaqua said residents had asked the City of Stirling to explain why the eucalyptus was being removed, but were told further details could not be provided for legal reasons. Police and city rangers attended the scene. Mayor Mark Irwin said the city assessed the tree after concerns about its root system and potential damage to private infrastructure, and that retaining it risked significant structural damage.
Somerset Regional Council will remove the remaining seven cadaghi trees from Yowie Park in Kilcoy in April 2027. The council began removing the trees in October 2024, as the species is classed as an environmental weed in south-east Queensland. The trees can damage infrastructure, compete with native plants and produce a sticky resin that has left black soot on footpaths, play equipment and picnic seating. The works were scheduled after summer to avoid the hottest months. Replacement trees will be planted throughout the park shortly after the removals, and visitors will still have several shade options.
Public trees in Geelong could be removed where they severely affect residents' health or quality of life, under proposed changes to the city's tree management policy. The City of Greater Geelong is seeking feedback on the draft, which also sets out a formal process for investigating tree root damage to private infrastructure. Removal could be considered where a qualified medical specialist documents a serious health impact, or where a tree species causes ongoing infrastructure damage. Council deputy chair Elise Wilkinson said the changes aim to balance environmental benefits with community concerns.
