Another battle to save grand old trees
A group of Drouin residents have again ramped up their passionate fight to save trees, last week lobbying for a stand of trees damaged by earthworks.
Joan McColl said it was a constant battle trying to save trees around Drouin.
Last week, three Strzelecki-i gums on the corner of Victoria St and Hopetoun Rd were threatened by earthworks by contractors.
Mrs McColl said a pit was dug along the roots of the trees when heavy machinery drove over the tree root zone and a hole cut through the roots.
“You can see the roots, which is now threatening the trees. These trees are a threatened species.
“They shouldn’t be doing work within the tree root zones…normally they have to put a barrier around the tree root system,” she said.
It was an all too familiar battle for members of the Friends of Drouin’s Trees members who have established a significant tree register in Drouin.
Mrs McColl said the trees where the works were undertaken were listed on the register.
“What is needed to make the significant tree register significant enough to protect what is left of Drouin’s beautiful old remnant significant trees?” she said.
Baw Baw Shire is investigating what the works were for, possibly a sewer installation, and who carried out the works.
Chief executive officer Mark Dupe said council’s initial investigations indicate the works and impact to the trees had been carried out without the necessary permit applications.
All work on the site has ceased.
Mr Dupe said council was arranging an immediate arborist work assessment.
He said council also was investigating the parties involved and will be undertaking the appropriate compliance action.