Residents furious after Kingston Council plans tree planting on Beach Rd

Plans to turn Beach Rd into a tree-lined boulevard have outraged nearby residents who say the greenery would create a significant safety risk to drivers and cyclists. Here’s what’s planned.

Beach Rd resident Mark Tyquin said planting trees would be a safety issue as they would block visibility for people coming out of driveways. Picture: Josie Hayden

Plans to turn Beach Rd into a tree-lined boulevard have been slammed by hundreds of residents, who say the greenery would pose a safety risk to drivers and cyclists.

Kingston Council plans to plant 150 Coastal Banksias on nature strips between Charman Rd, Cheltenham, and Rennison St, Parkdale, after a new shared footpath is built.

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Works — which include some trees on the foreshore side — are expected to start later this month, pending VicRoads approval.

But people living on Beach Rd are furious they only found out about the plans due to a petition.

Parkdale’s Mark Tyquin, who circulated the petition — which has 650 signatures — said planting trees along the 4km strip would create several issues, including a detrimental effect on safety and aesthetics.

“When people are backing out of their homes, there is concern the trees would create huge visibility issues,” Mr Tyquin said.

“It is a narrow strip ... with a sewer, stormwater, overhead powerlines, Telstra, NBN, driveways and bus stops to contend with.”

Beach Rd resident Mark Tyquin is furious Kingston Council will plant 150 trees along the road without consultation. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Tyquin, also furious about a lack of consultation, is demanding the plans are put on hold until people can have their say.

“The only way I found out was through the December council meeting minutes and there hasn’t been any mention before or after that,” he said.

Sandringham Liberal MP Brad Rowswell, who raised the issue in parliament, said he was yet to hear back from Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek.

Mr Rowswell said he urged Kingston Council to “listen to residents and (not) proceed against the will of the community”.

Kingston city assets and environment manager Daniel Freer would not comment on whether residents would be consulted before plans progressed but said the trees would ensure safe traffic movement.

“Street trees are common along Kingston streets and Beach Rd is no different,” Mr Freer said.