Joan is one of the residents angered by the appearance of trees along Parsons St. 85137 Picture: LAURA WAKELY
By LAURA WAKELY
SUNSHINE residents have lashed out at Brimbank City Council, claiming it has “butchered” trees in Parsons St.
The trees, which residents claim include 60-year-old silky oaks, were cut back to clear branches away from power lines according to the council.
But residents say the clearing was more akin to “hacking” and that the street has been left looking unkempt with trees left bare of branches on one side and others cut into an odd U-shape around power lines.
Resident Joan, who did not want her surname published, said Parsons St residents were proud of their neighbourhood and took care of their street fronts.
She said council had shown a lack of respect in the way they had treated the trees.
“The council should be planting more trees, not hacking them down,” Joan said.
“This would never happen in Camberwell or Elwood.”
Some residents were so infuriated with council’s approach to the trees they have asked for their rates back and they are preparing a petition to council on tree-pruning practices.
Joan said the cut backs were not performed by professional arborists and council could not confirm whether this was the case.
General Manager Infrastructure and Environment Paul Younis said council workers had to undertake power line clearance to comply with strict safety regulations.
“Council strives in its’ pruning techniques to remove the minimum amount of vegetation possible in order to comply with the regulations,” Mr Younis said.
“Council is committed to developing and maintaining tree lined streets, in the city’s neighbourhoods, within its town centres and along its main thoroughfares.
“Proper maintenance of our city’s trees is an important part of improving the character and image of Brimbank and making it an attractive and enjoyable place to live.”
He said 3250 trees were planted in the municipality over the past year.
