Council axes to the max

By Lilly O’Gorman
THREE of 28 spotted gum trees at the centre of council debate came crashing down in Old Coach Road yesterday morning and outraged onlookers were asking “why now?”.
Edrington Ward councillor Judy Owen said something was amiss about the decision to axe the trees on the day of the council meeting where she was due to put forward a notice of motion to delay cutting down the trees.
Cr Owen said documents and emails with information about the issue brought before the council meeting last night would “blow open” the issue.
“This is really a sad day for City of Casey Council. This issue needs to be blown open for what it is,” Cr Owen said.
“This is not open governance, this is bad governance.”
Council spokesman Steve Coldham said both the council and VCAT had determined that, for safety considerations, the trees could be removed.
“The trees which were removed were only those which could be removed having regard to safety concerns as determined by VCAT, and the removal of these trees had already been the subject of debate and decision by council at its last meeting,” Mr Coldham said.
VCAT handed down an enforcement order at an urgent hearing on Monday 13 August to stop Casey Council from axing more than 20 trees in Old Coach Road, following the council’s decision earlier this month.
The order would prevent the council from removing the trees, except for about five or six trees within 10 metres of a nearby house that can be taken down if deemed dangerous.
The rest of trees, about 23, are safe until after the final VCAT hearing on 24 and 25 September, Ms Crofts said.
The trees removed on Tuesday were not protected by the VCAT order.
Cr Owen said the council’s plan to remove the trees had been in discussion since 2008, yet ward councillors weren’t made aware until two weeks ago.
She said reports into the safety of the trees, other than those prepared by council officers, were to be heard at the meeting last night.
She said it wasn’t just coincidence that the trees were removed on the morning of the meeting.
“Four well-renowned arborists have proven those trees to be in perfect health,” Cr Owen said.
Neighbouring residents felt similarly duped by the council.
Adrienne Toth said it was “disgusting” residents received no warning about the impending chop.
“This concerns us. It’s like it was done ‘hush hush’ behind everyone’s back,” Mrs Toth said.
“There is nothing wrong with these trees, they’re beautiful. We’ve lived here for about a year and even on really windy days we’ve never seen a limb come down.”
Brisbane Street resident Janine Pickering agreed.
“Talk about undermining the democratic process,” she said.
Two police cars and a divisional van from Narre Warren Police Station were called in by City of Casey contractors due to “safety issues” of residents and community groups parking on the road and getting too close to the trees, Senior Constable Tanya Lavin said.
Among the outraged onlookers were representatives from the Residents, Ratepayers and Friends of Berwick Village (RRFBV), the Berwick District Woodworkers Club and the National Trust Casey Cardinia Branch.
Vice-president of the National Trust Casey Cardinia Branch Rob Pritchard said he was surprised and very disappointed with the council’s action.
Vice president of the RRFBV Norm Morrish said it was blatant vandalism by the council.
Council officer Trevor Griffin attended the removal of the trees after being contacted by the contractors, but declined to comment.