Council seeking halt to tree-felling along river

BY CHERIE DONNELLAN
GEELONG councillors will ask the region’s catchment management authority to halt plans to destroy elm and ash trees along Barwon River.
Cr Stretch Kontelj successfully introduced a motion at a council meeting this week to stop the works for an investigation of the trees’ “historical significance”.
Corangamite Catchment Management Authority plans to remove the trees between Shannon Ave and Queen’s Park Bridge.
Cr Kontelj said he had been told the former City of Newtown had “gifted or planted” the non-indigenous trees.
Holding off planned felling for the investigation was harmless to the catchment authority’s overall plans for environmental works, Cr Kontelj said.
A Facebook campaign to save 15 elms along the river in Geelong has gained support since its inception last week.
Save Barwon River Trees spokesman Dean Butcher said council would score a “real win” if it convinced the catchment authority to halt the tree removals.
“We started the campaign a week ago but already we’ve seen an outcry from nearby residents about the possibility of the trees being cut down.
“CCMA failed in letting people know what their intentions were (concerning the trees), so many people had no idea cutting these trees down was part of the plan.
Mr Butcher said he supported the council’s investgation of whether the trees should go on a register for protection.
“The elms form a beautiful standalone avenue and they’re far enough away from the river to cause any real threat.”