Glebe residents save their palm trees

The City of Sydney has scrapped plans to rip out the palm trees at Jubilee and Bicentennial Park after an uproar from the local community.

Council announced earlier this month that the century-old trees needed to be removed to help develop a salt marsh environment. The trees were set to be disposed of on Monday this week but will now remain in the park withthe salt marsh being built around them.

“The Phoenix Palms compete with the native Coastal Saltmarsh which is a threatened species under the NSW conservation act 1995,” a City of Sydney spokesperson said.

“City arborists and ecologists are examining community responses as they look at how the salt marsh can be regenerated around the trees.”

Glebe resident Chris Newton praised the Council for listening to residents and maintaining the history of the park.

“I think it is wonderful on two accounts. One that the palms are saved and the most amazing one that the council listened to the people,” she said.

Council said they made the decision to keep the trees after community consultation with Glebe residents.

But this consultation process consisted of posting their plans at the parks; which caused a furious reaction from residents.

“Unfortunately Sydney council does not have a very good reputation for taking on board residents suggestions,” Ms Newton.

City of Sydney Council is currently planning other strategies to foster a natural salt marsh environment around the two parks.