Despite an arborist’s report finding the trees were not a public hazard, Moe Cemetery Trust removed the Cypress pines after it received support for the decision when two alternate plans were put forward for community feedback earlier this year.
Moe resident Cheryl Wragg, who has been campaigning for the trees’ retention for years, said the sentiment she and others shared was that of “despair”.
”Concerned citizens have been advocating to retain the trees in support of the specialist arborist’s recommendation that the trees are safe, of historical and spiritual significance, offer the community shade and a windbreak and were an important marker on the visual landscape indicating presence of cemetery and making it visible from as far as Moe Racecourse,” Ms Wragg said.
”To witness these trees wantonly destroyed for no good reason is both a mar on cemetery trust and reputation, but on other groups in community, who for no good reason, decided to support the destruction of these trees.”
Of 255 responses to the MCT survey 167 were in favour of the plan that included cutting down the trees.However Moe Memorial Park Cemetery Trust secretary Tanya Mussared-Horne said she and other trust members had received “fantastic feedback’ in relation to the works.
”Members of public have come up and commented on how it brightens the area up and also the cypress pine needles had discoloured plaques and people are glad that won’t be happening anymore.”
Ms Mussared-Horne said the trees removal was just the first step towards completing the cemetery’s masterplan.
”We just have to grind tree roots and then we’ll starting on the footpath, hopefully in three weeks, which will connect High Street to top of the cemetery (providing access for people with a disability).”
