An 80-year old Kurrajong tree has been craned to the Bert Wright Park to clear the way for the Bayswater Station upgrade project, Perth.
The native tree was moved to enable construction of the upgraded station’s eastern entrance. The removal process, which started in May 2019 and was completed on January 9 2020, involved a trench being dug around the tree and trimming its roots.
The trench was then backfilled with clean loose soil to encourage the establishment of new feeder roots. After a period of monitoring, the 17-tonne Australian native tree was lifted with a crane before carefully swapping it to a mobile crane and driven slowly to its new home.
The tree location follows other early works, which started in 2019, including underground service works and other vegetation relocations.
The Kurrajong tree will now be monitored for the next 12-18 months to ensure it thrives in its new environment.
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WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the relocation of the Kurrajong tree was a significant symbolic milestone for the METRONET project.
“This station upgrade will enable Bayswater Station to serve as a vital junction for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, Forrestfield-Airport Link and Midland Line,” she said.
“We know having properly integrated train stations and transport infrastructure can transform local communities in to buzzing hubs of retail, recreational and residential life.
“This station’s concept design is based on one of the largest and most comprehensive community consultation processes ever undertaken by the State Government, with feedback from more than 1,300 locals – this station was planned for the community, by the community.”
Maylands MLA Lisa Baker said while residents were thrilled to witness the incredible sight of a massive tree being craned down one of their main streets, the relocation also marked an exciting new step in the Bayswater Station Upgrade.
“Bayswater is set to become one of the best-connected communities in Perth, reducing reliance on cars and saving commuters time and money,” Baker said.
“I would like to thank the members of this community who have participated in reference groups and provided feedback and guidance in preparing for the METRONET redevelopment.”
The new station aims to integrate better with the Bayswater town centre precinct and provide enhanced pedestrian connections. It will be able to host six-car trains, have improved accessibility and have more bus stops for passengers.
The upgrade will also involve building a new, higher rail bridge to replace the infamous King William Street bridge. A construction tender for the works was released last year and will be awarded early this year.