Sealed Judgement

6.5 T REE R ETENTION S TATUS C HANGE FOR K OALA T REES
In 2022, the retention status of the tree was awarded as per design conflict and/or suitability
for retention of the individual tree.

The 2024 retention status reflected the health and/or structure of each of the 204 trees
reassessed and their status for retention, regardless of the design, based on their current
condition. Some of these trees were declared ‘Redundant’ as they no longer provided function
as a viable tree, particularly in terms of Koala habitats. These trees were found to be vine-
infested, and in poor health and condition to the point that they were in the midst of the
morbidity spiral with failing branches. Seventeen such trees were declared ‘Dead’ and
removed from the Koala tree listing for these reasons. This conclusion was reached in
consultation with Dr Justin Watson (Ecologist), Gondwana Ecology, and Dr William Ellis (Koala
specialist), Ecoteam Scientific Services.

The above explains the reduction in the number of Koala Trees that were listed on site in the
DA plans from 150 to the 2024 figures of 133, as shown in Table 4: Plan numbers change
2022 DA to 2024 to 2025. Details outlining the alterations in these trees, including their health,
condition, and observations from 2022 to 2024, are shown in Table 6: 2024 Tree Review -
Koala tree advances to ‘Redundant’ status.

The March 2025 assessment revealed that 11 more trees had advanced to a state of
redundancy or death, 10 of which were previously classed as Koala trees. These are listed in
the Table 7: 2025 Tree Review - Koala Tree advances to Redundant / Dead.

Note: these figures do not include the three (3) mature Swamp Mahogany on the eastern side
of the driveway as detailed in Section 5 Observations.

However, an amended design has been agreed as part of the mediation negotiations.




                       Figure 2: Image from the Mediation Agreement 18/03/2025




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