Tree cover in Monash to gain more protection
Changes by Monash Council will make it harder to cut down trees. But not everyone is convinced it will stop the increasing concrete jungle.
East
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Community groups have responded with cautious optimism to a Monash Council strategy to maintain the area’s ‘green character’ on residential properties.
Now that the plan has taken root, supporters hope it will flourish, in time.
Heavier restrictions on what trees people can cut down is hoped to reduce how much greenery is lost and lessen the moonscaping — clearing blocks of land of all vegetation before development — of properties.
Changes mean landowners would need a planning permit to remove canopy trees taller than 6m — a change from the previous 10m restriction.
Friends of Scotchmans Creek and Valley Reserve president Tony Walker said the loss of canopy cover in Monash had been “quite serious” in the past 20 years, dropping from 26 per cent to 22 per cent, while concrete coverage rose from 9 per cent to 15 per cent.
“We can’t go on like this,” he said.
“The action by council is very welcome and very much due.”
Friends of Damper Creek Reserve group president Doug Scott said council’s move was “encouraging”, but would hold off any celebrations until it is actually implemented.
“It is merely a strategy — it gives an indication of the way forward but it is not ready to be implemented,” he said.
Mr Scott expected it to be “several years” before the strategy would come into effect, noting that planning amendment C125 was passed by council more than two years ago and still was not ready.
“The damage that might be caused in the meantime is disappointing and devastating,” he said.
Mr Walker said the likely delay was unfortunate, “but the important thing is the first steps have been taken and it is very important for the future of Monash that this momentum be continued”.
Councillors wanted to assure property owners that trees could still be removed, but there was an extra step in the process.
However, there was some criticism of the move, with Cr Paul Klisaris describing it as “an attack on people’s liberties and rights”, while Cr Geoff Lake described the move as a future “noose around council”.
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Cr Rebecca Paterson said the move was “a good compromise”, praising the community’s drive and patience in waiting “for all the wheels of bureaucracy to turn”.
Mayor Shane McCluskey said council would wait for permission from Planning Minister Richard Wynne to prepare and exhibit the amendment and start community consultation.
With the amendment process “likely to take at least 12 months”, Cr McCluskey said council had asked to “introduce interim controls as soon as possible while the formal consultation takes place”.
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