Geelong Grammar probed by City of Greater Geelong over trees

Geelong council is investigating the removal of trees adjacent a significant waterbird habitat at a historic property owned by Geelong Grammar School.

City Hall is investigating the alleged removal of trees at a historic property owned by Geelong Grammar.

It’s understood the council was contacted last week after sugar gum trees were allegedly removed from the Avalon Homestead property – near the Avalon Wetlands.

It came after local residents, including members of the bird watching community, raised concerns removing the trees could disrupt birdlife.

According to the City of Greater Geelong’s website the Ramsar accredited wetlands are “highly significant” for waterbirds, with more than 85 waterbird species linked to the area.

The website said threatened species including brolgas, the Cape Barren goose and Australasian bittern had been sighted at the wetlands.

It’s believed the trees were planted by the Austin family more than a century ago when the historic old bluestone homestead was built.

Geelong Grammar leases the land and site to international school Avalon College.

Peter Fry, whose property abuts Avalon Homestead, said he believed the trees were “historically significant.”

“These old trees need protection as they provide extremely valuable habitat to a multitude of very rare and threatened birds and other fauna that frequent the internationally recognised Ramsar wetlands, located just across Avalon Rd and running along the foreshore of the Avalon College property,” he said.

Geelong Grammar School

Mr Fry said the trees were “significant to everyone in Lara and the rare birdlife in the area that roost in them”.

“I just want to protect it for everyone, that’s all. I feel very strongly about it,” he said.

BirdLife Bellarine Peninsula co-ordinator Kerry Haddon said, in a letter to council, the wetlands could be “drastically affected by such felling”.

“Such old trees, as provided by the sugar gum stand, provide hollows for nesting and high

branches for roosting,” she said.

“The significance of this small patch for birds cannot be understated in its relationship to the Werribee Treatment Plant.”

The City of Greater Geelong’s director of city planning and economy, Gareth Smith, confirmed the matter was under investigation.

“The City of Greater Geelong has opened a planning investigation into the alleged removal of native vegetation at 480 Avalon Road,” he said.

“As the investigation is ongoing, we will not be making further comment.”

City Hall is investigating the alleged removal of trees at a property owned by Geelong Grammar School.

A Geelong Grammar School spokesman said the school had a “duty of care” to provide a safe environment for students, staff and their families.

“A fully qualified and experienced arborist identified a number of trees on our property that required removal,” he said.

“The arborist inspected for nests and provided advice that removal of these trees would not impact native birdlife.”

The spokesman said the school had paused the work and would continue to consult with the relevant authorities.

But, he said the school was not required to obtain approval from local government or the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) to undertake regular tree maintenance or related works.

“The school has a sustainability strategy that includes a commitment to protecting and restoring native habitat,” he said. 

Originally published as Geelong Grammar probed by City of Greater Geelong over trees