A motion calling for Fremantle tree removals to be halted across the city, including the felling of 26 mature trees at Hilton Park, has narrowly passed after a tense public meeting in Western Australia.
About 300 residents packed Fremantle Town Hall on Tuesday night, with the dispute centred on whether the trees should be protected or cleared to make way for a new junior Australian rules football oval.
The meeting was triggered by a petition signed by 583 electors. Resident Mark Woodcock’s motion called for an immediate pause on mature tree removals and demanded that future infrastructure, sports and masterplan projects be redesigned to prioritise the retention of the urban canopy.
The motion will now be considered by Fremantle councillors at next week’s ordinary council meeting. It does not itself cancel the redevelopment of Hilton Park, but it could delay works planned for the site.
Hilton Park tree removals divide residents
Hilton Park, one of the city’s largest sporting and recreation areas, is undergoing a redevelopment approved by the council in 2024. The 19-hectare site is intended to gain a community hub, shared soccer facilities, cricket and community buildings, a basketball court, a skate park, walking and recreation areas, and additional trees and shade.
However, 26 existing trees, including Norfolk Pines, have been earmarked for removal to create a junior oval. The council has said community consultation found 70 per cent support for the concept and that 61 new native trees would be planted in the park.
Works to remove asbestos from the former BMX track, followed by the tree clearing, had been due to start in August. Both stages were paused until after the electors’ meeting.
Mr Woodcock told the meeting the issue was not a choice between sport and trees.
“We don’t have to choose one or the other. We should have both,” he said. “Voting tonight does not cancel the sports upgrade. It simply pauses the destructive works that council will take to the tree canopy, and this will allow a review or alternative layouts and engage in a genuine co-design with the community.”
Connor Magee, president of Fremantle City Junior Football Club, warned that approving the motion could put the proposed oval at risk. He said the facility was “so desperately needed” by the club and argued that delaying the plans could also jeopardise improvements to cricket facilities, pump tracks, accessibility and walking trails.
“It has been part of our plan for a number of years. We cannot afford to go back to the drawing board now,” he said.
Confusion over votes at special meeting
At least 35 people addressed the meeting, which became increasingly divided as residents debated the redevelopment and the city’s approach to its tree canopy.
After the motion passed narrowly, many supporters of the existing masterplan left the hall. Confusion then arose over three further motions, with some electors believing they would be voted on separately rather than treated as amendments.
“No one in here knows what is going on,” one elector shouted. Another said the process was unclear and “really unfair”, prompting applause from the room.
Glen Dougall, the city’s chief executive, eventually agreed that each amendment could be considered as a separate motion. All three subsequently passed and will also be discussed by councillors next week.
Andrew Burton, one of the electors who submitted an additional motion, criticised the handling of the meeting and said it had not helped transparency or evidence-based decision-making.
“I hope that we can proceed in a non-polarised way so that we can really just drive for a good solution for everybody,” he said. “Because at the moment, I don’t see anybody winning.”
