Hon. Louise Kingston questions the Minister for Environment regarding the closure of the Gloucester Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree climbs due to safety concerns identified by structural engineers.

AnsweredQoN 25Legislative Council
Asked
27 February 2024
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

GLOUCESTER TREE AND DAVE
EVANS BICENTENNIAL TREE CLIMBS — CLOSURE
25. Hon LOUISE KINGSTON to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I refer to the closure of the
Gloucester Tree and Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree climbs.
(1) What is the reason given for
the closure of the tree climbs?
(2) At what date was the department made aware of any
advice received to suggest that the climbs should be closed?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide
the following answer.
(1) The climbing
trees were closed after inspection and on advice from structural engineers that
the upper platform structures were unsafe.
(2) An engineer report recommending the immediate
closure of the Gloucester Tree was received on 17 May 2023 and the tree
was closed. On 21 September 2023, an engineering assessment of the upper-level
structures for the Bicentennial Tree deemed
the structure unsafe and the tree was closed. This is a complex matter, and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is working closely
with engineers, arborists and other specialists to assess options to facilitate
the reopening of the tree climbing experiences.

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