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Scar TreeWollondilly Shire Council’s engagement with the Aboriginal Community has produced outstanding results over the past two years, including:
Appointment of an Aboriginal Development Officer, a Council Officer dedicated to developing the communication with the Wollondilly Aboriginal Community; There have been many other initiatives benefiting all involved, including the preparation of a Scar Tree Management Plan for Bridgewater Estate. Wollondilly Mayor Cr Judith Hannan said, “Council strives to be inclusive and respectful to all groups in our Community and our recent efforts with Aboriginal engagement has been a great example of bringing Council and the Community closer together.” So it was understandable that on Thursday 3 July, there was disappointment and regret with the formal removal of a Scar Tree at the Bridgewater Estate in South Camden. A Scar Tree is usually a Eucalypt which has been scarred by the removal of bark by the Aboriginal Community for ceremonial purposes or for the making of implements. Most scar trees are over 100 years old and may date back prior to European settlements. Once identified for their importance to the local Aboriginal Community, they are protected by State Legislation. Council, in 2006, prepared the Scar Tree Management Plan as a requirement of the State Legislation. “The Scar Tree Management Plan prepared by Council is recognised as innovative as it deals with the Scar Trees in the living, dying or dead state, recognising cultural value as well as environmental value,” said Mayor Hannan. The tree, “Scar Tree Number 1”, one of seven scar trees in Bridgwater Estate (one was removed in 2007 and one was lopped in 2006), had recently dropped a substantial limb, prompting Council to undertake the procedure in the Scar Tree Management Plan for such an event. Council then engaged two independent arborists to undertake assessments of the tree. Both reports and inspections by Council Officers confirmed that the tree was virtually hollow and in a poor state and that its condition posed a potential risk to neighbouring houses and the public. Council then consulted with Tharawal Aboriginal Lands Council, Cubitch Barta Native Title Claimants and Wollondilly Aboriginal Advisory Committee, advising them of the arborist’s recommendations to remove the tree or reduce it to a five metre stump incorporating the Scar. Council opted to leave the stump as recognition of the tree’s significance in a dead state. The Department of Environment and Climate Change then approved Council’s application to remove the crown. “It is sad to see the loss of any heritage item but when these items must be lost, it is important to assure the Community that Council has dealt with it sympathetically and appropriately,” said Cr Hannan.
The removal was monitored by representatives of Council and the Aboriginal Community to ensure any appropriate cultural or environmental considerations were followed. Council’s Aboriginal Development Officer was in attendance to oversee any cultural issues that may arise.
Council’s Bush Regenerator, to harvest seeds to be used in the Community Nursery Seedbank for future propagation;
After the tree was lopped and harvested the remainder was mulched and spread around the trunk. Volunteers at Wollondilly Community Nursery will now provide plants for the area to beautify the site and highlight the tree’s remnants. Contact details |
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© 2008 Wollondilly Shire Council |
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