Urge Knox City Council to Stall Bulk Removal of Street Gums
- by: Ann Fairbanks
- recipient: Dr. Ian Bell, Knox City Council
Dear Dr. Ian Bell,
This petition is being sent to you as the Director of Infrastructure and the Chief City Engineer for the Knox City Council.
We concerned citizens understand that the Knox City Council is planning over the next four years to remove ALL Spotted Gum trees across the Knox municipality. This bulk tree removal plan has commenced in Rowville in streets such as Goulbourn Parade and Amazon Court. We also understand that the next phase is due to commence in Rowville on 18 February 2013, targeting Lakeside Boulevard, St Lawrence Way, Eildon Parade, Bridgewater Way, Taylors Lane, Dandelion Drive and Winnipeg Street amongst other streets, and Rowville Lakes Shopping Centre.
On behalf of the Knox City Council, please accept this petition that requests the following:
- The bulk tree removal process be placed on hold.
- The council engage in a consultation process with residents that will be more thorough than that conducted to date and will provide accurate information upon which residents can form their views.
- The council gather more thorough information about the trees in question, such as:
- the impact of their removal on local birds and other native wildlife;
- the safety, health and viability of the trees;
- the impact upon the affected streetscapes.
In doing this, council will be best placed to develop a plan for the trees that takes into account all concerned parties and minimises any negative impacts accordingly.
It should also be noted that the information supplied by council to residents contains a key inaccuracy:
- Council notified residents of the planned tree removal by distributing a letter to those in the affected areas in October 2012.
- This letter stated that ‘OLDER’ Spotty Gum trees would be removed, whereas the plan is, in fact, to remove ‘ALL’ Spotty Gums, not just those that are older.
- This inaccuracy continues to be reflected in the notifications that appear on the council’s website and on the street signage erected to notify residents of the imminent bulk tree removal process.
This information supplied by council is misleading and residents may have responded differently to the proposed changes had the information been accurate.
The Knox municipality is known for its leafy, green streetscapes that inturn attract native wildlife and birds in particular. Such streetscapes are unique features of the area that make the Knox municipality such a pleasant and attractive environment. We would therefore, like to urge the Knox City Council to accept the requests contained in this petition so that the environment that we have come to know and enjoy can be best maintained.
Dear Dr. Ian Bell,
This petition is being sent to you as the Director of Infrastructure and the Chief City Engineer for the Knox City Council.
We concerned citizens understand that the Knox City Council is planning over the next four years to remove ALL Spotted Gum trees across the Knox municipality. This bulk tree removal plan has commenced in Rowville in streets such as Goulbourn Parade and Amazon Court. We also understand that the next phase is due to commence in Rowville on 18 February 2013, targeting Lakeside Boulevard, St Lawrence Way, Eildon Parade, Bridgewater Way, Taylors Lane, Dandelion Drive and Winnipeg Street amongst other streets, and Rowville Lakes Shopping Centre.
On behalf of the Knox City Council, please accept this petition that requests the following:
- The bulk tree removal process be placed on hold.
- The council engage in a consultation process with residents that will be more thorough than that conducted to date and will provide accurate information upon which residents can form their views.
- The council gather more thorough information about the trees in question, such as:
- the impact of their removal on local birds and other native wildlife;
- the safety, health and viability of the trees;
- the impact upon the affected streetscapes.
In doing this, council will be best placed to develop a plan for the trees that takes into account all concerned parties and minimises any negative impacts accordingly.
It should also be noted that the information supplied by council to residents contains a key inaccuracy:
- Council notified residents of the planned tree removal by distributing a letter to those in the affected areas in October 2012.
- This letter stated that ‘OLDER’ Spotty Gum trees would be removed, whereas the plan is, in fact, to remove ‘ALL’ Spotty Gums, not just those that are older.
- This inaccuracy continues to be reflected in the notifications that appear on the council’s website and on the street signage erected to notify residents of the imminent bulk tree removal process.
This information supplied by council is misleading and residents may have responded differently to the proposed changes had the information been accurate.
The Knox municipality is known for its leafy, green streetscapes that inturn attract native wildlife and birds in particular. Such streetscapes are unique features of the area that make the Knox municipality such a pleasant and attractive environment. We would therefore, like to urge the Knox City Council to accept the requests contained in this petition so that the environment that we have come to know and enjoy can be best maintained.
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