Tree to be removed from Civic Precinct following branch failure

Tree to be removed from Civic Precinct following branch failure

Following a major branch failure earlier this year, the river red gum at the rear entrance of the Civic Centre will be removed due to ongoing safety concerns.

A branch weighing five tonnes fell from the around 100-year-old tree in January, landing on the lawn area between the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery and National Art Glass Gallery.

The tree has been inspected in the past had remedial pruning work undertaken to mitigate risk and was considered safe prior to the branch failure.

Following the incident, the tree has been reassessed and upgraded to high risk as any future branch failures would also be quite large and up to 1000 people walk through the area daily.

The removal will take place on Sunday 5 June, weather permitting, to ensure any inconvenience for the community and nearby residents is kept to a minimum.

Morrow Street will be closed between Tarcutta and Baylis streets from 7am to 5.30pm with traffic control in attendance. A small section of O’Reilly Street will also be closed at the Morrow Street end with no change to driveway access.

The tree mulch from will be used in parks around the city, while the tree timber will also be recycled.

The raised garden bed area will be tidied up after the removal and a replacement tree will be planted elsewhere in the Civic Precinct.