Moe resident Pam Davidson is “disgusted” with Latrobe City plans to chop down a 35-foot Melaleuca on her front nature strip and has labelled the decision “unconscious thinking” by the council.
The Canberra Street resident claimed council was removing trees due to their “messy” state, and not for safety reasons after contractors rolled up and started to congregate around the 40-year-old tree last week.
“My housemate Zij asked them what they were doing and the supervisor said the council had a plan to cut down these trees,” Ms Davidson told The Express.
“She came inside and rang the council, I went out and asked who was in charge and spoke to the boss and he told me that we can say ‘no’.
“Zij came out and said the council were telling her the trees had to be cut down and the contractors said ‘no, you can stop it’.”
According to the Friends of the Earth member, contractors told the pair the tree would not be removed if they requested the tree be left in its current state.
Ms Davidson said the tree was not obstructing power lines and had not posed any danger to herself or passers by since moving to the property.
“But the contractors did say council didn’t like them because they look messy,” Ms Davidson said.
“I think it’s disgusting. We are here to be responsible for the plant kingdom and to look after them. I feel quite angry about the fact that council can come in and chop a tree that’s been growing for 30 to 40 years, it’s irresponsible.
“It’s lack of foresight. Our old growth trees provide oxygen to the environment and without them we wouldn’t be here, we need them.”
She said council needed to consider the impacts removing mature-aged trees was having on the environment and encouraged other like-minded residents to take a stance.
“If it’s causing problems to the footpath, the council can fix it and that’s what we pay them for in our rates,” Ms Davidson said.
However, in a statement Latrobe City Council general manager infrastructure and recreation Steve Piasente said trees were often removed because of their invasive and aggressive root system which could cause damage to infrastructure.
“It should be noted that [this house on Canberra Street] is a corner property and the street tree growing in there will not be removed. The street tree in Staff Street, a prickly paperbark (Melaleuca Styphelioides), will be removed,” Mr Piasente said.
“The replacement tree species is Callistemon Kings Park Special. A number of this species have already been planted in this street over recent years.”
He said if 50 per cent of residents objected to trees being removed after being notified in writing by council, Latrobe City could reconsider its decision to remove them from nature strips.
“Letters were originally sent to residents in December 2017. A follow up letter was sent out in April 2018 advising that these works were going to be undertaken,” Mr Piasente said.
Latrobe City Council said nine trees would be removed from Staff Street, Moe.
