Laurel Grove Blackburn residents angry at tree removal

GUTTED locals in one of the eastern suburb’s premier streets are reeling after nine native trees were suddenly cut down.The leafy street is recognised by the National Trust for its abundance of trees.

Neighbours are furious about the removal of nine trees from their heritage listed street without warning. Picture: Stuart Milligan

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GUTTED neighbours of one of Whitehorse’s premier streets are reeling after nine native trees were suddenly cut down.

Leafy Laurel Grove in Blackburn is recognised by the National Trust for its abundance of trees, which provide a sanctuary for more than 165 bird species, plus a variety of flora and fauna.

Nearly 100 neighbours belong to the Bellbird Residents’ Advocacy Group (BRAG), which aims to protect what they describe as a “rare and treasured oasis”.

BRAG member Paul May said the shock removal of trees and bushland from 21 Laurel Grove on March 8 and 9 had left residents feeling “betrayed by elected officials and employees”.

“The recent, council-sanctioned, destruction of trees and habitat at 21 Laurel Grove has left us saddened and angry,” he said.

“So much wildlife lived in those trees and the weekends and weeknights are a constant stream of foot traffic experiencing a truly unique place not just in Whitehorse but Melbourne.”

The trees were cut down at 21 Laurel Grove. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Pennie Kendall said residents have been protecting the area against insensitive development for decades, adding the people of the Bellbird area successfully opposed a development proposal at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in July last year.

The developer allegedly withdrew their planning application on the basis they couldn’t proceed without removing the trees.

The site at Laurel Grove is covered by the Significant Landscape Overlay, schedule 1.

Whitehorse Council’s general manager of city development, Jeff Green, said the nine trees which were removed from the site were either below the size threshold or exempt from a permit due to being dead, dying or an immediate danger”.

“Council will not be replacing the trees as they were on privately-owned land,” he said.