Maroondah Council plants tree squarely in front of goals

WHO plants a tree in front of goal posts? Councils do some crazy things, but this one — on an oval in Melbourne’s east — is a doozy.

MAROONDAH City Council has been left red-faced after planting a tree squarely in front of goal posts at a Ringwood oval.

Three trees were planted in the wrong location at Towerhill Park Reserve, in Towerhill Drive, last Friday, but were moved within 12 hours.

Seedlings were also planted around a cricket pitch at the reserve, often used by families.

Resident Mike Barclay alerted the Maroondah Leader to the bizarre positioning of one tree in particular, planted directly in front of the goal posts.

Mr Barclay questioned how much time and money was spent fixing the blunder.

“It’s another one of those silly decisions that council makes,” he said.

Maroondah Council denies and then admits planting trees in wrong place on Towerhill Drive Reserve in Ringwood on Facebook.

While Maroondah Council initially denied planting the trees when responding to a resident on Facebook, it has since admitted fault. It has also admitted it planted the seedlings near the cricket pitch, which have also now been removed.

Mayor Tony Dib said the trees were relocated soon after being planted at no cost to ratepayers.

He did not explain how the mistake was made or what prompted the council to move them.

“The planting is part of council’s Reserve Beautification Program,” Cr Dib said.

“(The area will) benefit from some additional trees and it’s hoped these trees will also assist in drawing excess water from the open space.”

Callum, Fraser, Abbie, Rory and Nelly couldn’t play footy with the tree in the way. Picture: Supplied