Shortly, the greatest shade providing trees in End Street (a protected heritage zone), are to be chopped down by Edward River Council.
It’s just twelve months since they chopped down six other mature shade trees in our heritage precinct.
The ERC reasoning is unsubstantiated, citing an eight year-old arborist report which fails to identify ANY ‘risk’ warranting the tree removal under the NSW Office of Environment (OEH) and Heritage Tree Protection Act.
ERC states that neighbouring property owners cite property damage, yet no evidence is provided to demonstrate this.
This investigation is definitely not "thorough", as stated in their media release (and reported in the Deniliquin Pastoral Times, ‘Dangerous trees to be replaced’, Tuesday, November 19).
There isn’t any fracturing on building facades directly located near the trees.
Eight years ago some footpath was assessed to be affected by the trees, and new pavement was installed - as per many other old paths in any town.
Will ERC now destroy every tree that they think is a ‘potential risk’?
Do they remove the only other plane tree (in George Street) under which people sit safely everyday?
Do they destroy the jacaranda tree at their front entryway because pavement has lifted slightly?
The ERC seems determined to eradicate healthy shade trees based on the fears of influential property owners.
Ian McKenzie, an independent master arborist and tree management officer, who is the co-creator of the NSW Local Government Urban Forest Policy (adopted since 2004), has stated that ERC's report is not substantial evidence, and that it is “completely unacceptable due to its lack of the minimum requirements for an arboricultural report”.
He also has concerns about the competence of the ERC in this intention, which would contravene their integrity in preserving this heritage zone.
These trees are our cultural heritage and require environmental conservation, as stated in the ERC’s masterplan.
The ERC's report is not evidential advice from qualified professionals in line with the state Heritage Laws, Tree Protection Act, and the OEH.
Shade in townships, especially in arid zones, is of utmost importance.
The ERC wants more people to come and live in Deniliquin, but this is unrealistic when they don't respect our heritage or amenity.
The ERC talks of ‘community consultation’ and ‘community engagement’ yet these are shallow words, and hollow values, and too often spoken by those in council who come to Deni for a short time and then leave having depleted our community of what has taken generations to create.
Yours etc.
Jospehine Duffy
Deniliquin
37°C