Sarah Oliver
A group of Hillside residents who signed a petition to have 40 trees removed from their street did not get the outcome they were hoping for.
The residents tabled a petition at council’s August 30 meeting, calling for the Spotted Gum trees on Melfin Drive to be removed.
The petition said the trees were a safety concern, saying fallen branches and gumnuts on the pavement were creating tripping hazards.
The petition also said that roots were raising the nature stips.
According to the petition, the roots of the trees had caused significant damage to some properties, particularly to pipes that caused issues with plumbing.
At last Monday’s council meeting, councillors voted to conduct community consultation before deciding to install root barriers around the trees, which would help address safety concerns. In the meantime, the trees will continue to be pruned and monitored.
Deputy mayor Lara Carli had called on council to remove the trees.
However, her motion was lost after five councillors voted against it.
Cr Sophie Ramsay said the decision to remove trees from one street would open a floodgate of tree removal requests from the community.
Cr Bob Turner agreed, saying that “we shouldn’t be taking down trees in good condition”.
Cr Carli said while the council’s decision was not her desired outcome, she welcomed the move to address residents’ safety concerns.
“I still believe [the trees] should be removed … I know now that at least there is going to be some investigation into barriers being installed and some pruning to take place immediately to get the trees cut back to improve safety,” she said.
Cr Kathy Majdlik said she also had safety concerns and wanted to ensure regular pruning occurred in the street.
“I want to ensure … property damaged doesn’t continue as the trees double their size,” she said.
