Vegetation pruning

As part of our commitment to improving water quality at Maylands Lakes, the City has been pruning vegetation on the islands at Lake Brearley and Lake Bungana in an effort to deter the cormorant population.

At its January meeting, Council sought confirmation that non-invasive trees on the islands at Lake Bungana would not be pruned.

Unfortunately, the City has experienced issues with its contractor in correctly implementing these works.

A number of endemic Melaleuca trees were pruned by the contractor in error. Herbicide was also applied without authorisation to a number of Japanese pepper trees. Despite this, the trees are expected to grow back.

The City has since engaged an independent arborist who determined the Melaleuca trees are expected to also grow back within 12-24 months. The City is now looking to plant endemic trees on the island and install irrigation to give them the best opportunity to thrive.

This situation is disappointing and the City will not engage with this contractor in future.