A MOORABOOL farmer accused by Landcare volunteers of ripping down a protected river red gum on Woolpack Road says farmers should have more rights over vegetation on their land.
Vegetable farmer and market garden owner Dino Boratto said a younger gum, likely to be about 60 years old, was felled by an excavator he hired on the evening of May 18 due to the tree’s “lean” and safety concerns. He said an older, protected tree fell in a storm.
As reported by the Weekly, Mr Boratto claimed he did not require a permit to remove the native tree. However, council and DSE confirmed a permit was mandatory to remove any native flora, and a permit had not been sought.
“I still maintain I am in the right. If the gum is on my land and it will pose a safety threat to my kids and future staff I have the right to get rid of it,” Mr Boratto said.
“Farmers need more rights here. I had no idea there was an overlay on that tree and I think it was council’s duty to boost awareness of where the protected trees and grasses are.”
Parwan Landcare president Ruth Marnie said “everyone in the valley,” including market gardeners along the Avenue of Honour, knew of the trees’ significance. “If he hasn’t then he should have been informed of their heritage by council, but all of the market gardeners we talk to have accepted they cannot chop the trees down and have honoured the trees,” she said.
Last Friday, council planning officers formally inspected the site. They have not determined whether Mr Boratto breached the Moorabool Planning Scheme or the Environment Act.
“Once council’s position is established, the general manager of growth and development will determine the procedure to be followed to bring the matter to a conclusion,” Moorabool statutory planning and building manager Peter Hawkins said.
Mayor Pat Griffin said Bacchus Marsh’s river red gums, some more than 600 years old, were “precious” and it was illegal to cut any of them down.
“River red gums don’t fall over on their own,” he said. “I think [it’s] ludicrous that people think they can do whatever they want with their land.”
Mr Boratto said a greater concern was the prospect of VicRoads proceeding with a southern corridor Bacchus Marsh bypass option, looping below the Avenue of Honour around the Werribee River, which could see a number of red river gums destroyed.
