Saw point: Deborah Brearley with other Point Lonsdale residents furious at the loss of the Moonah trees in the area’s playground.
KIM WATERS
BOROUGH of Queenscliff has chopped down three historic Moonah trees a day after a community rally to save them, a protestor has complained.
Organiser Deb Brearley said a “good turn out” of residents attended Sunday’s public rally but was “disgusted” to find that council felled the Point Lonsdale trees a day later.
“This is a tragedy,” she said.
“Council has divided the community. We’ve gained no ground at all on getting a streetscape management plan for the area and we’ve lost even more respect for the borough.”
The Independent reported last week that residents had called for a streetscape management plan after a “ridiculous” officer’s report recommended removing the playground Moonahs for safety reasons.
Ms Brearley branded Queenscliff’s council “out of touch”.
She had “pleaded” with Mayor Bob Merriman on Sunday to “engage” the community.
“They will not engage,” she said.
“It’s a disgrace and in this small community there is a wonderful opportunity to do things better.
“The playground is no safer, we still have trees that are more unsafe than the ones that were cut down and no strategy or management plan is in place.”
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said Moonah woodlands were a “threatened ecosystem”.
“These trees were some hundreds of years old,” Ms Lindros said.
“Not only are trees a significant environmental and social loss but the opportunity has been lost for a small Moonah botanic garden to be created in the main street.”
Cr Bob Merriman said the borough removed the trees to ensure a “safe environment”.
“While recognising the concerns of many people as to the coppicing of these trees, council is charged with the responsibility as to ensure as far as possible a safe environment,” he said,
“When considering the two arborist reports and the view of some members of council’s vegetation reference group, it is clear that one arborist highlights the potential safety issues and that immediate action should be taken.
Cr Merriman said council intended to develop a playground reserve plan.
