By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A GROUP of Narre Warren residents has called on Casey Council to remove the eucalyptus trees in their street.
Goran Djumic from Tomasetti Crescent in Narre Warren submitted a 15-signature petition to councillor Louise Berkelmans last month requesting the removal and replacement of the trees which were planted during a re-development of the street more than five years ago.
Mr Djumic, along with a group of other Tomasetti residents, fears the trees will become a safety hazard should they be allowed to continue to grow.
“This is a preventative action to replace the eucalyptus trees which were planted at the time of the street’s redevelopment some five years ago,” he said.
“Once the trees are too big to be effectively managed, the safety of our families, properties and general infrastructure – including underground cabling, gas, water and electricity – will be at risk.”
Mr Djumic has previously attempted to discuss with the City of Casey if the trees can be removed and what species they could be replaced with.
“I feel that elements such as geographical location, environmental aspects and also soil types should have been considered before making the selection for the planting,” Mr Djumic said.
Mr Djumic said the petition he presented to the council had three aims starting with Tomasetti Crescent’s planting classification which allows only eucalyptus trees to be grown in the street.
“The first objective it to change the planting classification of the street and then we can discuss other trees with council.
“The second objective is to remove the existing trees that are still there and still growing,” Mr Djumic said.
“The third objective is to replace the trees with a friendly species to improve the street.”
Cr Louise Berkelmans said that a report concerning the Tomasetti Crescent petition will be presented to councillors next month.
“Inappropriate trees planted by developers many years ago are an issue throughout Casey and we’re slowly working through it,” she said.
“We can certainly look into the removal of these trees but it often depends on the contractors and their availability.”
