THIRTEEN ‘Itchy Bomb’ trees in May Street, Hamilton, will be removed and replaced due to health impacts on local residents, after a decision was carried by the Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) at its ordinary meeting this week.

May Street residents circulated a petition to have the Lagunaria patersonia (aka Itchy Bomb or Norfolk Island Hibiscus) trees removed and submitted it to Council in April this year, expressing health concerns including breathing difficulties and skin allergies.

The 13 trees are not native having been introduced into Australia and are now largely regarded as unsuitable as a street tree in many parts of Australia, including Southern Grampians.

They are situated on the southern side of the street and will be replaced with benign trees indigenous to the area.

The undersigned residents in and near May Street petitioned Southern Grampians Shire to remove the Lagunaria patersonia trees.

Reasons cited within the petition included severe asthma incurred by May Street residents alleged to have been exacerbated by the fibres when the pods open.

It also stated that there were other residents that suffer from hay fever, other allergic reactions and some with serious life-threatening lung conditions,

“As these people age, they become less able to cope with the stress of breathing difficulties that these trees create, to the extent that some are unable to leave their homes when the trees are shedding,” the petition said.

“The seeds and fibres from the seed pods are toxic and cause skin irritations which need medical attention.

The petition alleged that the fibres in the seed pods could be as dangerous as asbestos for human lungs.

“Other cities and shires around Victoria and Australia recognise the danger of these trees and have programs to remove and replace them.”

The petition was also supported by a letter from a local medical practitioner outlining the medical impacts of the Lagunaria patersonia trees.

Separately the Coleraine community raised concerns with SGSC regarding two London Plane trees on Whyte Street, specifically regarding the impact, causing damage to surrounding infrastructure and presenting safety concerns.

Council’s arborist was engaged to assess a total of 22 trees on Whyte Street.

SGSC director infrastructure, Marg Scanlon, put to the proposed recommendation put to Council;

1. Remove the thirteen Itchy Bomb trees in May Street and engage with the local residents on the replacement trees.

2. Remove two street trees in Whyte Street, complete pruning works and maintenance works on the remaining trees in Whyte Street and continue to engage with the Coleraine community specifically on the options to resolve the impacts to the surrounding infrastructure.

The arborist’s assessment concluded and recommended the removal of two trees on Whyte Street due to being in very poor condition caused by extensive powerline pruning works. The two trees offered minimal amenity and would be best removed and replaced.

Coleraine residents have engaged with Council officers to discuss the Whyte Street trees and will continue to explore options, but the agreed objective is to retain the London Plane trees where possible.

Council staff will also inform the public of the works via social media posts and public notices in the local paper.

Residents in May Street, Hamilton and the businesses in Whyte Street will also be engaged face to face by Council staff- both prior to works commencing and during the works.

Ms Scanlon said it was well known across Victoria and Australia that “Itchy bomb” trees were no longer appropriate because of personal health issues particularly due to the fibres.

“There are a number of others throughout municipality and in Hamilton and over time we will work to remove and replace them in respect of community areas and residents,” she said.

“The Coleraine community have engaged with Council with respect to the trees in Whyte Street and infrastructure concerns.

“We will work with community in terms of replacement trees - there is a lot of interest from community.

Cr Mary Ann Brown moved the recommendations and were seconded by Cr David Robertson.

Cr Brown said she hoped residents of both communities would be happy with the response.

“It’s pleasing to see we are going to replace those trees in both circumstances,” she said.

“It’s critical we try and maintain our tree canopy.”