Dying tree prompts push for monument

When Gnowangerup's historic "Twisted Tree" was badly damaged during a clean-up operation, resident Robbie Miniter said the impact on the indigenous community was devastating.

A symbol of travel, decision making and bringing communities together, the Aboriginal landmark had been a strong part of Gnowangerup's history for generations.

During a road disaster clean-up in early 2013, the tree was accidentally removed and although it was replanted, Mr Miniter said it was now decayed and dying and would not last long.

"The tree is a landmark for travel, a meeting place before we went hunting, before decisions were made - it has always been such a significant part of our culture," he said.

"It has been here for as long as I can remember, and when it was removed, it shattered the community."

The Shire has already endorsed a sign signifying the cultural significance of the Noongar meeting place, but Mr Miniter said residents were eager to have a symbolic structure or monument similar to the tree put in its place once it died.

Shire president Keith House said no formal plan for a new monument had been presented to the council, but the significance of the project would be determined when its scope could be assessed.