Port trees facing chop

MICHELLE HERBISON
SAFETY concerns will force removal of 86 trees at Portarlington Holiday Park, according to foreshore managers.
Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management’s Vin McKay said the 40 to 50-year-old Monterey cypress pines were at risk of falling.
“It’s regrettable such works need to take place,” he said.
“However, safety is paramount and there are no other feasible options.”
Mr McKay said the removal work would keep some campsites closed until early November but the committee would try to minimise disruption.
Other areas of the holiday park would remain open during the works from October 10 to 28.
The trees became safety risks in February when heavy rain and strong wind blew some onto caravans, with 19 removed afterward.
Mr McKay said Bellarine Bayside would develop a landscape plan to prevent further tree problems.
“We hope to be planting some new trees by next year,” he said.
“In due course another species of tree will be planted at the foreshore.”
Mr McKay said the trees’ removal would change the landscape.
“People are used to having shade in the area and it won’t be there unfortunately but we’re just driven by safety.”
Friends of the Bellarine Hills member Judy Bracken said residents, campers and picnickers loved the trees for their shade.
She was suspicious of their removal, believing the trees looked healthy.
“They don’t look like they need this sort of ruthless attention,” she said.
“The appeal of Portarlington foreshore is those big old trees, so why ruin what brings people here by changing the whole look of the place? If they’re doing it for financial reasons then that’s not good enough for us locals.”
Ms Bracken said the committee might use the tree removals as an opportunity to build cabins.
Mr McKay said the holiday park had no plans to replace the trees with cabins.
Park trade would be unaffected over summer, he said.
“Our park is in high demand over the whole summer period. We expect to have full occupancy.”