Resident holds fears over towering gums
Michelle Dabkowski is asking for common sense to prevail and two gum trees next to her Scenic Rd property to be lopped.
“I’m worried about risk of life,” said Ms Dabkowski.
However, Baw Baw Shire community assets acting director David Dunstan stated the trees in the area of the property had been assessed and “were considered not to be a hazard”.
Ms Dabkowski said cleaning up branches and the possibility of roof damage by small limbs was part of living next to a bush reserve. However, having large gums only seven to eight metres from a bedroom was risking lives.
“It’s common sense stuff here, it really is,” said Ms Dabkowski. “We’ve had such bad storms and limbs coming down. I’m not a complaining ratepayer, it’s more about council’s duty of care. I’m more than happy to financially assist in whatever way to reduce the likelihood of the trees falling. But I think council wants to wait until it falls and then do something.”
Ms Dabkowski purchased the land with established garden from a neighbour two years ago and first contacted council with concerns over the trees in 2014.
She was told an arborist would conduct a report but stated she never received a copy.
Ms Dabkowski is seeking the two trees to be lopped or trimmed, not removed.
“It’s a beautiful bush reserve and I don’t want to impact on it.”
Ms Dabkowski said her offer to help pay for the works was refused as it would ruin the integrity of the trees.
She added gum trees were unpredictable and along the adjoining Linear Park Trail saw “trees have just randomly gone down”.
However, Mr Dunstan said lopping was not an acceptable method of managing gum trees.
“The tree located near this property was assessed for health and risk, with the risk being determined to be low, which is very acceptable,” said Mr Dunstan. “Council is responsible for the trees on this land, and will re-assess them as part of ongoing management of the location.”