By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A TEAM of dedicated Narre Warren residents have got their wish, with Casey Council recommending the eucalyptus trees in their street be removed.
The City of Casey approved of the removal last week, which will see the eucalyptus trees in Tomasetti Crescent taken out and replaced with white cedars.
The development comes after a petition signed by the street’s residents was presented to Cr Louise Berkelmans in October calling for the removal of the eucalyptus trees following fears they would become a safety hazard should they continue to grow.
The eucalyptus trees were planted five years ago when the street was re-developed.
Goran Djumic, the resident who organised the petition, said the news was overwhelming.
“It’s going to look 360 degrees different from what it does now. At the moment it looks like half a construction site,” he said.
“It will be a pleasure to live there.
“It was always a longshot but I had a vision of what the street could look like. I want to live in the street for years to come; I already have girls going to school nearby.”
Mr Djumic had previously sought counsel with the City of Casey to discuss if the trees could be removed and what species they could be replaced with.
“This is a preventative action to replace the eucalyptus trees which were planted at the time of the street’s redevelopment,” 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.”
Cr Louise Berkelmans said the removal of the eucalyptus trees would start next year and she hoped the white cedar trees, the council’s preferred replacement, would also be planted before the end of 2014.
“Once the trees are removed we can’t leave the stumps there for a long time,” she said.
“It can’t be left unsafe.”
