Burswood Park’s blue tree ‘will return’, Labor vows, as racetrack works surge ahead
A blue tree felled to fuel public debate about depression has become the latest flashpoint in the fight over the Cook government’s planned Burswood racetrack, with the state vowing to replace it.
The tree was felled late last week to make way for the $217 million racetrack and 12,000-seat amphitheater project now known as Perth Park.
Photos taken by nearby residents and shared on the Save Burswood Park Facebook page last week show the blue tree lying on its side next to felled palm trees.
Significant site preparation work is underway and construction of the racetrack and amphitheater is expected to begin later this year.
The Blue Tree Project was launched in 2019 and encourages people to paint dead trees blue to mobilize those struggling to seek help and start conversations about mental health in the community.
The tree’s removal comes on the same day the WA Planning Commission published a development application for the final piece of the Perth Park project near the Optus Stadium site.
Robin Harvey, a Save Burswood Park meeting partner, invoked The Lord of the Rings to explain the plight of the peninsula.
“Burswood Park now resembles a wasteland, just like the forests destroyed by Saruman and Sauron in The Lord of the Rings,” he said.
“The removal of the blue tree on the day the development application was published was the final straw and we are telling Roger Cook and Rita Saffioti we are no good.”
A spokesman for Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the project team contacted the Blue Tree Project early to advise that the tree should be removed and confirmed it would be replaced.
“The existing plaque is being retained and the state government will work with the Blue Tree Project to designate a new tree at the site to ensure this important cause continues to be promoted in the area,” he said.
Save Perth Park has been highly critical of the planning processes behind the racetrack and amphitheater project, with Harvey questioning how the government was moving forward with the work without approval.
“Burswood Park now resembles a desert, but the Department of Planning, Land and Heritage has only just launched public consultation on a development application for a significant part of the motor racing circuit,” he said.
“As has been the case throughout this project, the requirements for transparency, genuine consultation and due process were not followed.”
A government spokesman said the Burwood Park Board had planning control where work began and all necessary approvals were in place.
“The initial works underway at Perth Park are taking place on an area under the control of the Burswood Park Board, where all relevant approvals are in place,” he said.
“This early work contract was announced last year and started in February to prepare the site for major construction.
“A development application has been submitted for works on land north of Roger McKay Drive.
“This development application covers soil and drainage works, landscaping and public realm improvements, utility improvements, roadworks and the construction of a section of multi-use road.”
The final design of the racetrack, amphitheater and infrastructure is planned to be released within the next few months.
The state government has yet to announce any deviation from the original $217.5 million price tag announced ahead of the March 2025 election, but a recent Infrastructure WA assessment gave no assurance the cost would remain at that level.
In the evaluation published last month, it was claimed that the information provided to the institution was not sufficient to determine the accuracy of the $ 217.5 million figure.
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political correspondent and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Award for best political journalism.Connect with: X or email.
