The public will have the opportunity to give their opinion on a decision recently reversed by Mount Gambier City Council.

At a recent meeting City Council voted to reverse its decision to keep 14 mature trees that line an inner-city street.

The decision came after a homeowner living nearby the avenue of trees spoke at council’s April monthly meeting.

A row of Norfolk Island hibiscus line Mitchell Street, located directly at the rear of Kerry Holmes’ property.

Ms Holmes made a passionate plea to council to remove the trees, explaining the two-year battle that has been wreaking havoc on her home and living conditions.

“I’m not here to complain about a few leaves in a gutter.

“The damage to our property is quite substantial,” she said.

The trees in question are commonly known as “itchy bomb trees” as they release seed pods with irritating hairs.

At full maturity the trees can reach 20m in height and spread up to 7m wide.

The pods on the tree seasonally open and release countless irritant hairs that are carried by the wind, which can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation.

To aid in her presentation Ms Holmes presented samples in a container and advised the councillors to not touch the pods due to their skin irritant capabilities.

She also presented photographs of the sooty mould that has deposited black residue on the solar panels, windows, walls and footpath of her home.

Land behind the city’s iconic convent was subdivided in 2018.

Ms Holmes bought one of the properties and built a house on it.

The home sits in a new housing development and at present is the only completed construction.

It is understood the remaining four blocks of land have all been sold, with the construction of a house already under way next door to Ms Holmes.

Having brought the issue to council’s attention two years ago, in February 2021, Ms Holmes said her family was “at their wits end”.

“This has been going on for over two years,” she said.

Ms Holmes explained her frustration.

“Every day things we cannot do. Hang washing on clothesline. We cannot open windows. Hairs come through windows and end up in our bedding,” she said.

“Solar panels on our roof do not work because they are covered in sooty mould.

“If we want to use our pergola, we have to vacuum the floor and the tabletop to use it.

“Rainwater tanks have been taken away because water became contaminated.

“We keep tweezers on our counter because we are always picking prickles out of our skin.

“We knew the trees were there and that’s why we put gutter guards up as we were building, but what we did not know about was black sooty mould.

“The sooty mould was a surprise to us and we could not believe how quickly it built up on the roof.

“I’m not a tree hater. I actually love trees. I just do not like trees that damage my property and are dangerous to our skin.

“Replace them, but with something that is not going to cause damage is all I’m asking for.”

Ms Holmes said she was quoted $4000 to have the entire exterior of her house cleaned of the sooty mould.

Newly-elected Mount Gambier deputy mayor Max Bruins expressed sympathy for Ms Holmes’ plight but said there would be a substantial cost in removing the trees.

“Going back through the CRM (Council Request Management) system over the last 10 years. There’s been one complaint,” he said.

“The trees were there when you chose to move there.

“Is it fair the entire rate paying body of Mount Gambier pays to remove those trees?”

Mr Bruins said council had to also take into consideration the several community groups who have informally said they wanted the trees retained.

Several councils across Australia have deemed the Norfolk Island hibiscus tree as a pest plant, including Robe.

In a report, Robe District Council recognised the trees “cause public nuisance” and encourage property owners to consider removing these trees, however encouraged planting other suitable varieties.

Council sought advice on the issue from its heritage adviser in 2021, arborists in 2021 and 2023, and a lawyer in 2022.

The lawyer said the council’s decision in 2021 to keep the trees was “lawful” but “not the best or preferable decision available”.

Estimated costs for stem injections and removal of the trees was later discussed in confidence and it was here the decision to keep the trees was reversed.

In a statement, Mayor Lynette Martin said the council had resolved to progress the process to remove the Mitchell Street Norfolk Island hibiscus trees, subject to any regulatory requirements.

She said the decision was made after considering the findings of an internal review, arborists’ reports, legal advice on potential nuisance arising from tree litter, and the Local Government Act.

The planning application to remove the trees will go to public consultation.

According to council’s heritage adviser, SA Heritage Minister Susan Close would need to approve it.

Similar trees have been removed in other towns and suburbs around Australia as a result of concerns caused by the tree debris.

“The removal of the trees is subject to a development application process,” Mayor Martin said.

“This process will involve state heritage referral and public notification for 15 days before planning consent is determined by the Limestone Coast Southern Regional Assessment Panel.

“The removal will therefore depend on the outcome of this process.”