The future of a mature Claret Ash tree in Ballan remains in the balance after more than 150 people signed a petition to save it from the chop.
Moorabool council has flagged the need to remove the nature strip tree opposite the CFA headquarters on Fisken Street tree due to damage to a section of kerb and guttering and lifting of the footpath pavement.
An arborist report rated the health of the tree as fair to good, with a medium remaining useful life expectancy of up to 40 years.
A council project brief noted that rectification works to fix the kerb and guttering are unable to be carried out without encroaching upon the tree protection zone, therefore recommending the tree be removed and replaced.
“Based on the arborist report construction works to replace and regrade kerb and pavement cannot occur without the tree being removed or risk killing the tree and potentially cause a falling hazard in future,” it states.
“It is recommended that the tree be removed and offset by planting two new Pine Oak trees, and kerb and channel and adjacent pavement be removed and replaced to appropriate levels.”
But the threat to the tree has met with resistance, prompting resident Carolyn Craggill to lodge a petition containing 159 signatures from residents and visitors of Ballan with the council.
“We ask the council to refuse this application and not remove this beautiful, mature tree and to use some other way to fix the guttering, for example box the tree as done in the main street,” it states.
“This is a significant and magnificent, mature (40 years plus) deciduous tree, it provides shade in summer, glorious autumn colour, bird habitat and generally enhances the beauty of Ballan which is known as an Autumn Town.”
The petition was tabled at the recent ordinary meeting of council, where councillors voted for it to be received and considered as part of the process for determining the planning application to remove the tree.
Benjamin Millar
