Dover Heights Residents Win Vote To Clear Trees For Harbour Views
Image: A view of the Sydney skyline overlooking the clifftop suburbs of Dover Heights. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
A group of Dover Heights residents have successfully convinced Waverley Council to remove a row of trees they say are obstructing their views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House.
Homeowners along Myuna Road lodged a petition calling for the removal of tuckeroo trees they claim have “completely blocked” their once “iconic” outlooks.
The petition, signed by 21 residents, argued the trees, planted by council more than a decade ago, have grown up to eight metres high, obscuring what were previously clear sightlines.
“Before the tuckeroos were planted, the existing street trees were three metres or less in height and did not block iconic views,” the petition says, adding that residents had “photographic proof” of the vistas they’d lost.
The group urged council to “remedy the situation” by chopping the tuckeroos and replacing them with lower-growing native grevilleas that would not exceed three metres, restoring views without sacrificing a tree-lined street.
Dover Heights residents win vote to trade shade for coveted views
Last month, councillors voted almost unanimously in favour of the request. Liberal councillor Dov Frazer brought the motion forward, calling the fix a practical response to residents’ concerns about blocked outlooks.
But not everyone was convinced. Greens councillor Ludovico Fabiano argued the decision prioritised private views over public greenery and wildlife.
“We need trees to create shade and to protect against heat on the pavement,” he told the meeting. “By removing the trees, we’ve failed in our duty to protect local fauna and the birds.”
Fabiano said the vote reflected a clash of priorities in a community where harbour panoramas are prized. “People seem to be more interested in views,” he said. “On public streets, people have views all around them—so why cut the trees?”
Despite his objections, Fabiano conceded the environmental argument “didn’t have the numbers.”
“People favour views more than protecting the environment,” he said. “But that’s democracy at play.”
Dover Heights, one of Sydney’s most affluent coastal suburbs, is known for its multi-million dollar clifftop homes overlooking the harbour.
Council officers say they will manage removal and replanting to minimise disruption and will consult on species and timing. They also noted trimming had failed to restore sightlines.
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