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Central Geraldton heritage tree may have to come out

Headshot of Geoff Vivian
Geoff VivianGeraldton Guardian
The leaning tree at the corner of Durlacher Street and Lester Avenue has been damaged by Cyclone Seroja.
Camera IconThe leaning tree at the corner of Durlacher Street and Lester Avenue has been damaged by Cyclone Seroja. Credit: Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

Cyclone Seroja has severely damaged a much loved central Geraldton tree which has now become a safety hazard.

The roots of the “leaning tree” at the corner of Lester Avenue and Durlacher Street were damaged in the storm, and the City has fenced it off from pedestrians.

Mayor Shane Van Styn said a local tree lopping company had assessed and photographed the damage and the City’s consultant arborist was reviewing the photos.

“The options are remove the tree or try and investigate if there is a way to prop it up in a safe manner,” he said.

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“At the moment the only recommendation we have to date is to remove it because of the risk of it collapsing and injuring something.”

Mr Van Styn said the arborist was due to report on Saturday morning.

Well-known heritage advocate Gary Martin said the tree was almost 100 years old.

It is such a loved tree people know about it, it has been part of the land scape

Artist and Friends of Geraldton Gardens (Froggs) member Roxanne Grant said it was the only leaning tree in the Geraldton CBD.

“It is such a huge part of our heritage they should be doing everything they can to preserve it,” she said.

It should have had a plaque and become part of a tourist trail.

Froggs chair Irene Ghannage has been contacted for comment.

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