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 is a doozy.

MAROONDAH Council has been left red-faced after planting a tree 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, including one on the oval in front of goal posts.

But within 12 hours the council had moved the trees next to the oval.

Resident Mike Barclay alerted the Maroondah Leader to the bizarre positioning of one tree in particular, planted squarely in front of the goals.

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.

But Mayor Tony Dib reassured residents the mistake came at no cost to ratepayers.

He said the three misplaced trees were replanted later that day, but 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