Tree Value
A you tube video regarding the importance of trees to us all Forests & Climate
Some councils are taking legal action over tree and vegetation removal. Maroondah Council is one of these Councils. However Maroondah Council is not in the habit of publicizing these legal cases, and so often the community is unaware of what is being done to ensure compliance with tree and vegetation controls.
Maroondah Council also uses an assessment method developed here at Burnley Horticultural college to ascertain the “monetary value” of a tree for matters relating to
compensation and litigation, insurance, and policy and decision-making.
Burnley method Tree value pdf.
CCS recently wrote to MCC in August 2011…regarding the value of our trees.
With the upcoming review of the planning scheme - NOW is the time to get a serious undertaking to commit to the intrinsic value of trees.
If we are to be at all serious about Climate Change and Global Warming effects then the trees of our living environment must be valued to a point where it is not a "slap on the wrist" and a "fine worth paying" to enable ease of access or placement for developers.
The following case set a precedent, in 2010 and has allowed further prosecutions in other municipalities, including in Maroondah.
Tree win for Booroondara Council in court 26 March 2010
The City of Boroondara is pleased following a successful prosecution of Ojetta Developments Pty Ltd (landowner) and David Gurvich (builder) in Melbourne Magistrates Court for not complying with conditions of a planning permit issued for the development of seven dwellings in Barkers Road, Kew.
Magistrate O’Keefe imposed a total penalty of $35,000 dollars upon the landowner and the builder. A conviction has also been recorded against both parties. The Magistrate determined that the two parties had failed to comply with the planning permit conditions relating to the protection of a camphor laurel tree, located at the front of the property.
Ward Councillor, David Bloom, said that Council had contacted the developer and builder on at least three occasions to advise them of the requirements of the permit but unfortunately the advice was ignored. Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Jack Wegman, said that Council strongly advocated on the issue of tree protection.
“The Boroondara community has said loudly and clearly that it values its trees and leafy streets. Residents are attracted to Boroondara because of our leafy canopy and we take our responsibility to enforce the law seriously when they are blatantly flouted,” said Cr Wegman.
There is also a requirement that the owner plant another camphor laurel tree with a minimum height of three metres at time of planting.
Cheers Liz Sanzaro
President CCS
