Locals fight to save Grantville Grass Tree Forest

Locals in a Bass Coast town are appalled a sand mining company has torn down rare trees in a forest more than 300 years old.

Grantville locals fight to save ancient tress. Picture: Meryl Tobin

Grantville locals are “appalled” that a sand mining company has pulled out ancient plants in a forest in order to expand the mine’s operation.

Sand Supplies Pty Ltd have stripped more than 250 rare grass trees at Grantville Grass Tree Forest.

The trees now sit in piles, drying out on the edge of the pit.

Grantville local Meryl Tobin has been advocating for the protection of the trees since 2019.

She visited the site on the weekend and was disturbed with what she saw.

“It was like visiting a scarred moonscape,” she said.

“More than 230 grass trees had been dug out and bagged.”

Ancient grass trees dug up and bagged. Picture: Meryl Tobin

Ms Tobin said some trees were wilting and looked as if they were dying.

She also said there were big holes around two metres where trees has been removed.

“Some of the trees were maybe 300 or 400 years old,” she said.

Sand Supplies Pty Ltd Operations Manager Harry Hermans told The Bass Coast News that any vegetation that is removed is based on work authority and the department that oversees them.

“I’ve had a couple of emails regarding concerns but I believe our general manager and board are trying to discuss that with local MP’s,” he said.

He said the trees will be relocated on site.

Ms Tobin said she wants the Bass Coast Shire Council and relevant state authorities to act immediately to stop more grass trees being pulled out.

“We are urging them to visit the site and evaluate the situation for themselves,” she said

In a Bass Coast Shire Council meeting on November 25, councillors voted unanimously to a notice of motion.

Huge pit expansion and road. Picture: Meryl Tobin

Cr Rochelle Halstead said the council must act urgently.

“These plants take 700 years to grow,” Cr Halstead said.

“In one swoop we have seen them ripped out of their home and placed into bags and it doesn’t seem like it has been done with much care.”

Cr Bruce Kent said changes won’t happen overnight.

“The point is we need to save those trees now,” Cr Kent said.

“Council need to talk to the owner of the site and hopefully convince him in community spirit to allow a group such as Landcare who are the experts in saving these plants, entry onto the property to take care of the plants.”

Cr Kent said the local community is “screaming”.

“Hopefully council officers can convince the owner to be opened minded and gain a little bit of community spirit and save these plants.”

Ms Tobin said the trees are valuable to the local area.

“The Grantville Grass Tree Forest is worth far more to the community not just for its immense value to bio-bioversity but, if managed with sensitivity, as a tourist attraction,” she said.

“It is one of the best grass tree forests in the whole of Australia.”

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