Repair work for Woodlake Shopping centre

The City of Swan is undertaking work to rectify damage to infrastructure within the Woodlake Shopping Area, caused by tree root growth.

City of Swan chief executive mike Foley said when the London Plane Trees were planted in the area by the developer, no consideration had been given to the necessity of root control barriers to protect footpaths, paved pedestrian areas and road pavement from root growth.

“Overtime continual root growth has caused pavers to crack and move, creating uneven pavers and a potential tripping hazard for pedestrians which the City wants to repair to ensure the safety of people using the area.

“The proposed works aim to rectify damage caused to infrastructure eliminating potential trip hazards to pedestrians. The City will also install a form of root growth control to limit potential damage to infrastructure which would otherwise be caused in future years.’’

Mr Foley said City would undertake light root pruning to existing trees within the Woodlake shopping area where there is no existing form of root barrier control.

An area of paving will be removed around the trees and re-laid on top of a compacted bed of washed blue metal aggregate. The air pockets within the blue metal aggregate will deter root growth and to aid healthy tree growth the tree wells will be made larger.

 Within the tree well area a product called drain pave will be used which will tie in with the existing streetscape and allow for future tree growth.

“The City aims to retain the London Plane trees in the area.  However, three trees are required to be removed due to narrow garden beds.

“The works are proposed to commence in mid to late November. More detailed flyers about the proposed works will be sent to residents and posted in shops within the Woodlake Shopping Area and outside the community centre.”

News Article Date: 4/11/2009

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