East Bentleigh man calls for tree overhaul after rogue melaleuca rips through his fence

A furious East Bentleigh man says he is facing a massive repair bill after a destructive paperbark tree destroyed his brick fence and the council refused to pay — because they weren’t told of the growing problem soon enough.

East Bentleigh man Dan, who did not want to supply his surname, said he anticipates forking out up to $10,000 to fix his front fence.

An East Bentleigh man whose front brick fence was ripped apart by rogue tree roots has slammed the council for ignoring the problem as he prepares to foot the repair bill.

Dan, who did not want to supply his last name, said sprawling melaleuca tree roots tore up his footpath and cracked through his brick fence at his Pasadena Cr home.

He reported the problem to Glen Eira City Council late last month, but was told the council was not liable for damage to private properties if it wasn’t made previously aware of the problem.

“An arborist’s report proved the tree was damaging my property … why should I have to cover the cost?,” Dan told the Leader.

“I estimate to be paying up to $10,000 to repair my fence.”

Dan accused the council of ignoring widespread destruction caused by the paperbark tree, which has led to flooding in the street and posed a serious tripping threat.

“The kerbs are often broken around the bases of these trees, and when the rain comes it makes a pool of water,” he said.

“This is going to cost residents, including the elderly, who are in the same situation and council is just going about as if there’s no problem.”

A Glen Eira resident says tree roots have cracked the concrete on Pasadena Cr East Bentleigh causing a tripping hazard and flooding.

However, Glen Eira City Council corporate services director Peter Swabey said the council would have taken action earlier to prevent further damage if they had been made aware of Dan’s situation.

“Council does not employ preventative measures in relation to this specific genus of tree. All trees have the potential for conflict with their surroundings depending on the individual environment constraints of the location that the tree is growing in,” he told the Leader.

“In situations where conflict does arise, Council employs engineering solutions such as tree root barriers to abate the conflict or, in situations where no engineering solutions are available, removal and replacement of the tree is undertaken.”

There are more than 7000 trees of the genus Melaleuca in the area and there is a combination of different species.

Dan, aged in his 60s, has been keeping tabs on more melaleuca trouble on Bignell Rd North Rd near Brighton general cemetery and urged council officers to carry out more checks.

Despite receiving up to two phone calls a month regarding rogue trees, councillor Jim Magee said winding tree roots were difficult to manage.

“I think it’s unreasonable to suggest council put a root barrier on every tree in the City of Glen Eira,” he said.

“When damage is identified, council does act very quickly (in solving the problem).”

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The number of street trees in Glen Eira has grown from 30,000 to 50,000 over the past two decades, with 1000 replaced and further 1000 planted each year.

Melaleuca trees are found mostly in Australia and act as a food source for nectarivorous insects, birds and mammals.

On the council’s website, it says it takes the removal of trees “very seriously” and will only take them away if it is hazardous, has failed to thrive or stands in the way of a vehicle crossover or works.