Bunbury locals watering trees to ‘save’ Koombana Drive pines

Two Bunbury residents have taken matters into their own hands after noticing deterioration of the Norfolk Island Pine trees along Koombana Drive.

With garden hose in hand, John Cross and Matt Paull went to Koombana Drive to water the 50 trees.

“I drive along this road every day and have noticed these trees getting worse and worse,” Mr Cross said.

“I called the council earlier in the week to let them know these trees needed to be watered or they would die and was told someone would get onto it but nobody did.

As a retired orchardist and Bunbury ratepayer, Mr Cross was angered with the council’s response.

“A lady from the council phoned me up on Friday to tell me the trees are given water once a week but anyone that drives past can see that is all smoke and mirrors,” he said.

These are beautiful trees, it is upsetting to see them go to waste, they need to be watered at least twice a week.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the trees received about 40 litres of water per week.

“It is normal for trees installed on a coastline to suffer from transplant shock,” Mr Brennan said.

The City of Bunbury have a weekly watering roster which includes the watering of the Norfolk Pines along Koombana Drive and no further intervention is required at this time.