The City of Melville would like to address speculation about the removal of trees at John Connell Reserve which have been the subject of media coverage and social media posts linked to election candidates and the Local Government Elections.
City of Melville Mayor Katy Mair has confirmed the proposed Notice of Motion by Councillor Clive Ross regarding trees at John Connell Reserve could not be accepted for consideration at the Tuesday, 14 October 2025 Ordinary Meeting of Council because the City is in a Local Government Election caretaker period.
“The decision was made in accordance with the City’s Council Policy CP-105 - Election Caretaker Period, which ensures that public resources are not used in ways that could be perceived as advantageous to, or promoting, election candidates.
“The consideration of this matter in a public forum (Council Meeting) using officer resources could therefore be considered a breach of the policy.”
“In June 2022, the Council resolved to support the application for a Clearing Permit and to work with the Clubs for the oval extension project.
“The clearing permit has recently been issued and work has commenced by officers to understand the full implications of the project.
“As valid actions have been undertaken to implement the June 2022 resolution and any change of intent that Council resolution would require a recission motion and the preparation of a Statement of Impact.”
Following this a different Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Jane Edinger and this has been included on the Agenda for the Tuesday, 14 October 2025 Ordinary Meeting of Council. This Motion asks for no trees to be removed at John Connell Reserve in the area designated by the Clearing Permit until the Council considers and makes a resolution in relation to this matter.
The Notice of Motion requests our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to notify the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club that no trees are to be removed or damaged in the area designated in the Clearing Permit until the Council considers and makes a resolution in relation to this matter.
The Notice of Motion also requests the CEO to prepare a report to be presented to the April 2026 Ordinary Meeting of Council, on the viability and costs of increasing the green cover at Ken Hurst Park, not as an offset against the Clearing Permit but as a strategy for increasing sustainable green cover and combating the loss of green cover caused by infill developments.
Lastly, the Notice of Motion requests the CEO to prepare a report on the costs and viability of constructing a second multi-use oval at the John Connell Reserve, to be presented to the Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held in April 2026.
Mayor Mair confirmed that the item would be considered again by Council in April 2026 and that no works would be undertaken to clear the land at John Connell Reserve until after that time.
“Council will continue to have full oversight of this project, including consideration of any further budget and other key considerations about the proposed oval extension,” said Mayor Mair.
“The City will work collaboratively with the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club and the other playing field users to ensure that only the minimum number of trees or vegetation will be removed to extend the oval and that all aspects regarding the design, cost and feasibility of the field extension and associated revegetation work would be considered and approved by Council before the project proceeds.
“DWER have already consulted the community as part of their process to approve the clearing application but there will be additional opportunities for the community to provide their feedback to Council on this topic, including via deputations when the item comes to Council in April 2026.
“We acknowledge the concerns from First Nations elders regarding the permit, which were first made during the John Connell Master Plan engagement phase from 2023.
"The concerns raised by First Nations elders and other community engagement results related to the draft John Connell Master Plan and the proposed oval extension project will be also included in the April 2026 Council report for consideration."