By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
OWNERS from Timbarra Estate will be allowed to remove gum trees that have plagued their properties for years at their own cost, after Casey council passed the motion last week.
And the City of Casey will also allocate $100,000 from its budget annually for the removal of Timbarra trees which have been deemed hazardous by the relevant authorities.
Councillor Mick Morland moved the landmark motion at the council meeting last Tuesday to allow owners in the estate to remove or prune the trees adjacent to their properties, subject to a list of requirements including an arborist’s report certifying that the tree is causing damage or is dangerous, and a work plan submitted by the owner.
The council also moved to review its tree policy for the whole municipality and to look at allowing all residents in Casey to have the opportunity to remove trees if approved.
A report is due back to the council in September.
“You cannot find a local government in Australia that has given permission for residents to remove trees on council property, so we’re setting a precedent here,” Cr Morland said of the Timbarra decision.
“It’s something everyone really wanted and my job is to represent the residents, to look after their interests.”
Roughly 6000 gum trees, which can grow up to 60 feet high, were planted in the estate by the Urban Land Authority more than 20 years ago.
The hazardous ‘widow maker’ trees have been an ongoing concern for residents from the estate who previously presented a 400-signature petition to the council on the issue.
The City of Casey allocated $170,000 three years ago to remove and prune some of the trees, of which $51,000 still remains in the budget.
Theodore Terrace resident Alan Richardson, a key campaigner on the issue, said pensioners and people who can prove they are on lower incomes should have priority access to the new council funding which was approved last week.
He also questioned whether the council will be able to remove the trees cost-effectively and proposed that residents enlist their own contractor who can then bill the council.
“I think people who can afford it can go ahead and do their work, but pensioners and people on low income or supplementary incomes should be able to go to council with a proposition,” Mr Richardson said.
“This is the person we want to do the job and that person can bill council.”
But Cr Morland dismissed the idea, confirming that any tree removal paid for by the council will be contracted by the City of Casey.
“We’re not letting people take money willy nilly, we’re not passing money to anyone to remove a tree,” he said.
“We will get a contractor who will give us a really good price.
“First thing we have to do is make sure people are safe and properties are covered.”
