The number of trees to be removed at Bentley Health Service for a new car park has not yet been finalised, after nearby residents raised concerns about the loss of mature trees.
Forward works for the new Bentley Surgicentre are due to begin shortly and will include construction of a new car park, site clearing, earthworks, underground services, kerbing, footpaths and asphalt surfacing.
A nearby resident raised concerns about the planned tree removal, saying some of the mature trees provide food and potential nesting resources for wildlife, including black cockatoos.
The resident also questioned how much time the community had been given to understand the plans and whether enough had been done to retain mature trees.
In response to questions from the Examiner, a State Government spokesperson said some trees would need to be removed to make way for the car park and ensure visitor safety.
However, the spokesperson said the final number had not been determined.
“This number is not yet finalised, with resident feedback and options being considered to ensure mature trees can be retained wherever possible,” the spokesperson said.
The government said the outcome would be communicated before any works began.
Neighbours surrounding the site were notified on September 3 that forward works would be commencing.
The local resident said more detailed information about the planned tree removal was received later and believed the community had not been given enough time to respond.
The government said environmental assessments had been undertaken as part of the planning process, with particular attention given to habitat and foraging opportunities for black cockatoos.
It said all necessary approvals had been obtained and the works would be carried out in line with relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.
About 157 new trees would also be planted across the site during the forward and main works, which the government said would increase overall tree canopy.
The resident said planting new trees would not immediately replace the canopy provided by large, established trees that had taken decades to grow.
The new Bentley Health Surgicentre is jointly funded by the State and Federal governments and is expected to increase elective surgery capacity in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs.
It will include six operating theatres, two procedure rooms, a 24-bed surgical ward, a central sterilisation services department and supporting infrastructure.
The forward works will also provide more than 300 parking bays for staff and visitors.
