An historic river red gum that the Mt Barker community fought to save five years ago after a new house was built illegally underneath it will be axed.

The river red gum on an Alexandrina Road property that the Mt Barker Council worked to save five years ago will now be axed.

Residents and the Mt Barker Council battled in 2007 to protect the gum when a developer built a display house below its branches without the required final approval.
But now the owner of the home, on the corner of Alexandrina Road and Davenport Terrace, wants to axe the tree, which is believed to be about 80 years old and is protected under a land management agreement.
However, this time it appears the gum cannot be saved, with arborists finding it is a risk to the house and its occupants.
General manager of council services Greg Parker said the landowner had approached the council asking it to waive the protection obligations in the land management agreement and allow the tree’s removal.

For the full report, see the print issue of The Courier.