Mornington Peninsula Council under fire for failing to clear dangerous tree
A massive tree left standing in a Mt Martha street after it was earmarked for removal has crashed on to a nature strip. And when a resident asked why the council didn’t cut it down he was dumbfounded at the explanation.
South East
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A dangerous tree was left standing in a Mt Martha street for months after it was earmarked for removal because “the paperwork got lost”.
The huge tree has now crashed to the ground and angry locals say it is lucky no-one was injured or killed.
Stephen Rosbrook said Silkhorn Cres ratepayers had been complaining about the dead tree, which has an identifying barcode, to Mornington Peninsula Shire “for ages” before it fell.
“I was contacted by the council and was told they had approved the removal of this massive dead tree last year, but they ‘didn’t know why it hadn’t been removed’,” Mr Rosbrook said.
“I was just dumbfounded at the explanation – ‘the paperwork must have been lost’ – seriously, this is what was said. What a joke!”
Mornington executive manager of infrastructure services Jessica Wingad — responding to questions, which included if the paperwork was lost — said the council was unable to disclose details about the tree.
But she said any tree with a barcode was part of a “proactive and reactive inspection and management program”.
“Under high-wind scenarios, such as we had, there is always a risk that any tree may be affected,” Ms Wingad said.
Mr Rosbrook said there were many dangerous trees with dead and overhanging branches in Mt Martha, particularly along Uralla and Bay roads
“It’s only a matter of time until there’s a serious incident. I understand jobs have to be prioritised, but attending to this stuff is what ratepayers expect,” he said.
“They’re happy to file charges against (Carlton great) Chris Judd for clearing his property up at Red Hill, but the dangers and fire risks created by this council not attending to the dead and dangerous trees and branches, the overgrown grasses and the huge fuel loads built up is a tragedy waiting to happen.”
The tree in Silkhorn Ave fell on January 9. It is still lying by the side of the road.
Mr Rosbrook is part of a growing chorus of angry ratepayers demanding the council attend to fire hazards in the shire.
A recent Leader report revealing the council was fining landowners more than $80,000 for failing to clean up their properties sparked a furious response.
Residents from Rye to Mornington called on the council to take action on its own land.
Jan Wurlod said the region had “never looked so bad”.
Anna McKay said she had never seen so many dead trees and bracken.
“We will be next … one road in and one road out,” she said.
Anja Petrovic urged all residents to demand action.
“We’re sitting ducks on the Peninsula, don’t wait till it’s too late,” she said.
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Another resident said the undergrowth along Weeroona St, Rye was out of control and yet another complained about overgrown vegetation behind houses along Rainier Ave, Dromana.
The council offers two free green waste weekends every year at Mornington Peninsula tips.
Karen Flockhard said residents should be able to dump it for free year round.