The Norwood Cork Tree

 Photos of the Norwood Cork Tree in April 2021. The developer advises the following:  "We have certainly been implementing our maintenance program for the Cork Tree as per instructions from the council arborist as detailed below. We will be providing additional mulch again this week and continuing with our weekly watering cycle and monthly Sea-Sol application.   WATER TREE ONCE A WEEK ON A SEVEN DAY CYCLE – around 150-200 litres at a time PROVIDE ‘COTTAGE MULCH’ – around 4 cubic metres PROVIDE SEA-SOL IN THE WATER AROUND ONCE A MONTH"

The developer, APD, has started work on the cork tree site. It is expected the project will take two years to complete. Protective fencing has been erected around the cork tree.

The development of the site will start on 1 March 2021 and is scheduled to finish in March 2023.  I have been advised of the following arrangements by Australasian Property Developments for the care of the tree during the construction period. WATER TREE ONCE A WEEK ON A SEVEN DAY CYCLE – around 150-200 litres at a time                 PROVIDE ‘COTTAGE MULCH’ – around 4 cubic metres                 PROVIDE SEA-SOL IN THE WATER AROUND ONCE A MONTH   The above will start on site from this coming Monday / Tuesday and will continue on till the construction phase of project ends, when a fully operational irrigation system will be installed   We also note that temporary fencing will be provided around the tree roots zone during construction  

According to the letter from the developer APD, work will commence on 1 March and the whole site will be fenced off. Work will continue on construction for the next two year until March 2023. There is no mention of any plans for the cork tree during that period and access to the site will be restricted. The only link I have is to Facebook Norwood Residents Association  letter from the developer

All the shops have now closed.  I photographed some smaller dead branches on the cork tree, indicating that the tree may be under some stress. The long period with a broken watering system and relying mostly on rain alone is causing problems.  The new owner Australasian Property Developments  I have been told will now take possession of the site on 1 March. Then the place will become a building site for around two years. We await news of watering arrangements for the next two years.  Cork trees in their natural habitat are under increasing stress because of climatic changes and the same stressors apply here.

Shops on the Coles development site are already vacant or have posted notices that they are moving to other addresses. The newsagent will close on 15 January.  It appears that action on the site is planned soon. Perhaps in February 2020? Here are some pictures of the cork tree  taken today, 3 January 2020. 

At the hearing on 23 January 2020, SCAP approved the development plan by Australasian Property Developments for the Coles site in Norwood.  The Norwood Cork Tree will be maintained in the current position, with an enlarged garden bed and permeable paving replacing t he asphalt in nearby car parks and footpath. The River Red Gum in the carpark will also have an enlarged garden bed, as will the River Red Gum on the north-east part of the site. There will be removal of several ot her regulated and significant trees on the George St boundary and the southern boundary, as well as mature plane trees in the car park. The revamped car park will be landscaped with replacement vegetation and a vine-covered pergola will cover the access road on the southern entry from George St. The cork tree will be protected by fencing during the construction period, expected to take around 20 months from September 2020. The developer has agreed to install signage near the cork tree detailing i...