MELTON Council has defended planting gum trees beneath power lines in Unitt Street after residents raised fears about an increased risk of fire.
Resident Ray Wagner said he believed the council should have chosen a different species of tree, slamming the decision to plant eucalypts as “irresponsible”.
But council operation manager Greg Wood said the species chosen grew only to a maximum of three metres.
The trees were chosen to establish a streetscape while acknowledging the power lines in the area.
“The species chosen is a small tree that provides bright red new foliage and a wonderful flowering display from December to March,” Mr Wood said.
He said the overhead power lines would not pose a concern because the trees were not expected to need pruning.
