Tree on the chopping block Tree troubles: Bradina Court residents have complained about a large tree. Picture: Supplied
Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au A HUGE tree which looms over Bradina Court faces an uncertain future after complaints from residents. Kingston Council voted at their 24 June meeting to “undertake a risk assessment of the impact of pruning the street tree (branches and roots)”. The estimated cost of the risk assessment is up to $3000. A second part of the motion that council should “remove the street tree and replace it with an appropriate native species” if “the pruning works not render the tree safe” was voted on and lost. The motion was moved by Cr Tamsin Bearsley who said that earlier that day she had “met with three of the most affected residents who live under this tree. It’s clear it is causing them great distress and it’s got to the point where it’s very upsetting for them. They’re worried about their safety because it’s such a large tree.” “It’s the resident’s right not to have the tree over her property and also to have no roots coming into her property. She’d had issues with it getting into the water pipes. Melbourne Water mentioned it was close to the gas line as well,” Cr Bearsley said. “I’d prefer to see the tree removed entirely (…) but I understand it’s a reasonable course of action that we see if we can prune this tree back a long way. “These resident love trees and are happy to help with a planting program. They would like to see other trees in this nature strip, this is just the wrong tree in the wrong place.” Cr Rosemary West said “I’m concerned we are setting a precedent here where large trees will be removed. This is an important issue for future policy.” Cr Steve Staikos noted that the street also had a problem with stormwater flooding. “We need an investigation into how to fix the stormwater issue of that street. It’s obvious to me that Bradina Court does have stormwater flow issues. “Although I think blaming the tree for the lack of stormwater flow is a bit unfair to the tree.”
Petition to relieve Mentone traffic woes A PETITION with over 1000 signatures was submitted to Kingston Council this week flagging concerns with the redesign of Mentone Parade. Cr Geoff Gledhill presented the petition to the CEO, declaring the issue a “matter of urgency”. “1000 people put their name to something that is of grave concern to them. This is in relation to changes that council has made to traffic flow in Mentone. Traders, shoppers, students, those attending local schools, and people in general have found the changes awkward and difficult to cope with,” Cr Gledhill said. “We set about to improve conditions in Mentone, and we’re running a real risk of not having businesses survive even in the short and medium term. It’s important that we get this right, traders in particular are very concerned, worrying if they’ll make it through winter in terms of their trade. “I urge the CEO to look at this as a matter of urgency.” Cr Ron Brownlees said the “economic impact of something we have done to group of people important to our community is quite dramatic. It’s important we address the situation as soon as possible.” Cr Rosemary West told council the redesign “seems not to be working”.
Milestone for driver safety THE VicRoads Fit To Drive year 11 workshop has now been brought to over 100,000 students, with the group celebrating the milestone at McClelland College, Langwarrin. Fit To Drive foundation CEO Debbie Collings said “the F2D year 11 workshop was founded on a community’s passion and commitment to act to keep their young people safe on the road.” “That same commitment is reflected in every community we’ve travelled to since and that’s why we’ve been able to reach 100,000 Victorian year 11s in under five years,” she said.
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
26 June 2019
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