Mitcham resident Vito La Spina to lose trees after council deems his ‘illegal’ – and planted the same type four doors down

Ratepayers’ efforts to plant shade trees in the street have come crashing down after the local council told them it would remove 30 saplings in the new year – with no compensation.

A quiet Lower Mitcham street is at war with the local council after 30 hand-reared trees have been deemed “illegal”, despite council planting the same species four doors down.

Vito La Spina, who has lived in the area for more than three decades, paid for, planted and maintained Queensland box trees along council verges. Now he has been told that council has deemed them “illegal” and will remove them.

“Council says that this tree is no longer an approved species and they no longer use it any more. Three months ago they planted the same tree three doors down and said it’s approved for that street,” Mr La Spina said.

Vito La Spina with a Queensland box tree he paid for and planted himself, and is now deemed illegal and will be removed in January. Picture: Emily Jarvis

An approved Queensland box tree – four doors down from Mr La Spnia which will be allowed to stay. Picture: Emily Jarvis

“They did suggest leaving me four, but why just four? Why are the other 26 illegal?

“For years we have told them we don’t want the pear trees they have planted because they provide no shade and we want trees that produce canopy for bees; it’s all going on deaf ears.”

Between buying the actual trees themselves, to fertilising, watering, building wells around the trees, Mr La Spina claims he has spent thousands of dollars on his street.

“It infuriates me,” he said.

“They are contradicting themselves and have offered no compensation for the loss of the trees.”

In October, Mitcham Council agreed to remove current $46.50 application fee for residents wanting to landscape their verges.

“We believe that removing this financial barrier will entice more people to create beautiful verge gardens,” Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross wrote on Facebook.

An “illegally” tree planted on Sizer St which will be allowed to stay as it is already grown. Picture: Emily Jarvis

A fully grown Queensland box tree outside Mr La Spina's home. Picture: Emily Jarvis

Mr La Spina was notified he has until January 4 before council would come to remove the trees.

“I’ve been responsible with what species I have put in.

“I was willing to look at all the trees individually and assess whether or not they were in a good spot but they haven’t even given me a chance to speak.”

Mitcham Council has been contacted for comment.