Outcry saves trees

Outcry saves trees

10/Jul/2012

By Liam Ducey, Eastern Reporter

Comments: 7 readers have left a comment

Bayswater P&C president Kylie Thompson, MLC Alison Xamon and MLA Lisa Baker look on as students hug a tree.

A COMMUNITY outcry has saved three trees in a park next to Bayswater Primary School.

The trees were scheduled to be cut down on February 29 until protests from the P&C committees of St Columba’s and Bayswater primary schools, along with support from MPs Alison Xamon and Lisa Baker, forced the Education Department to change its plan.

It believed the trees were dangerous, with concern the biggest was impacting on the retaining wall of an adjacent walkway.

At a meeting with stakeholders last Monday night, the department confirmed all three trees, estimated to be 80 years old, would be saved.

Originally it was planned to replace the biggest tree with two species native to Bayswater.

However, the department will leave it for at least another 12 months, with Bayswater PS given responsibility to monitor the situation.

Ms Xamon, who has two children at the school, said the outcome was the best possible for all parties.

“We’ve saved three trees that were going to be cut down, and we’re really happy about that, especially that big tree in the middle,” she said.

“If there is an issue with that retaining wall, then we’ve made the best effort to save it.”

What everyone else is thinking

Educational Trees

13/07/2012

How will children ever grow up to believe that trees actually drop thier own branches more particularly when dried out,mor when they are drenched and in very strong winds- if they have seen it for themselves. and when they do, we will all be told of it.
species of trees that drop branches could be fenced, but in the summer they are a peaceful place for those who enjoy a little shade.

Peter Melrosa

12/07/2012

Thank you naia, you always brings sensible opinion and facts to the forums regarding the environment.

naia

11/07/2012

For once the powers that be are listening to the community. V Smith may have seen a dropped branch and expresses concern about safety - let it be known that the actual "risk" of being killed by one of these legendary Australian widowmakers is less than one in 10 million. Cars, dogs, pools, even beds are all statistically way more dangerous but we aren't removing all of those... Almost all tree injuries to people happen to those who are in the process of cutting them.
Good on the local MPs for listening to the community and acting on their behalf.

Mr Knot A Greeny

11/07/2012

So the Ed Dept want to cut down a tree now that will eventually have to come down anyway, and offer to replace it with 2 trees. The school says no.

What a selfish group of parents.

So what happens when the tree is eventually cut down will the Ed Dept offer still stand. Why should it.

V. Smith

11/07/2012

You people are ridiculous. I have seen first hand one of those trees drop a 100kg branch with no warning into that lane way. This species of eucalypt does it regularly, almost every winter in fact. I bet if it were your child that was hit by a branch or your house adjoining the lane way your tune would change quite quickly. At what point does human life become worth less than a eucalypt tree?

sandra

10/07/2012

Its amazing how quickly land developers and councils cut down our big healthly suburban trees??? Why.....
On the other hand we have a government implimenting a carbon tax.
Keep our tress they take the carbon out the air we breath...
and we need them for future gernerations