Twelve "itchy bomb trees" lining a street in Mount Gambier are facing the chop after a woman who built a house next to them complained they were damaging her property and forcing her family to stay inside.
The City of Mount Gambier Council will seek approval from South Australia's heritage minister to cut down the row of trees, after receiving a complaint from the woman.
The Norfolk Island hibiscus trees in question are sometimes known as itchy bomb trees as they release seed pods filled with irritating hairs.
The trees are behind St Paul's Catholic Church on Mitchell Street in Mount Gambier and are connected to a former convent, both of which are on the state heritage register.
Land behind the convent was subdivided in 2018 and Kerry Holmes bought one of the properties and built a house on it.
When she moved in she discovered the trees were causing sooty mould to form on her roof and covering the windows and solar panels with residue.
She told a council meeting on Tuesday night she could not open her screen doors in case the itchy hairs came into her house, which even then they could still do.
"We can't hang washing on a clothes line," she said.
"We can't open windows at the back because of the hairs … these hairs come through our windows and end up in our bedding."
Heritage advice to keep trees
The 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".
The council reversed its decision after Ms Holmes spoke at this week's meeting.
"I'm not a tree hater, I just don't like trees that damage our property," she told the elected members.
The heritage adviser said the trees were part of the context of the state heritage items and "define the edges of this city block and provide a backdrop to the heritage places".
The advisor said removing them "would have an adverse impact on the state heritage place".
Councillor Paul Jenner said the trees were loved by the people of Mount Gambier "for years and years and years".
Public consultation on proposal
Council discussion around the trees was confidential.
But 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.
And SA Heritage Minister Susan Close would need to approve it, according to the council's heritage adviser.
Ms Holmes said she was "happy" with the decision.
Four other blocks next to the trees have been sold, with the construction of a house already underway on one of them.
Similar trees have been removed in other towns and suburbs around Australia because of concerns about their itchy debris.
