Pressure is mounting on Maribyrnong Council to beef up tree protection rules after a developer was able to order the removal of a beloved gigantic oak tree without a permit.
Star Weekly last week revealed that a giant oak tree that has been growing behind a handful of Footscray homes since the late 1800s was earmarked for immediate removal.
Chainsawing of the tree began on Wednesday and about a third of the canopy has so far been removed, on the order of owner of the Hyde Street property that contains the tree’s trunk.
The owner, a local developer, also owns an adjacent property.
For neighbour Leanne Webb it will be the loss of a companion of 20 years, the constant backdrop to her domestic life.
As far as Lesley Walker is concerned, it’s an act of madness to be removing scarce greenery in an area already under severe developmental pressure and critically short of trees.
The Footscray Historical Society says the tree is at least 120 years old.
It has developed a canopy almost as large as three houses, spreading across five backyards and providing a safe habitat for birds and possums.
Ms Walker said the neighbourhood has been shocked to discover that such a significant tree could nevertheless be removed without any approval.
“I heard one arborist was asked to do the job and he refused, so they asked another arborist.”
Ms Webb said that the arborist had initially been cordial, yet grew displeased when she refused to allow him access to her property.
“To take something like this away beggars belief.”
Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria arborist James Shugg visited the oak tree on Friday evening and is upset at the prospect of Melbourne losing such “a fine specimen”.
He said the tree could still conceivably survive if the developer experienced a change of heart, but he is not holding high hopes.
Mr Shugg warns the city is already losing many of its older trees and this will have a profound effect on quality of life.
“We are not going to be leaving a very liveable world for our children or grandchildren.”
Ms Walker is now petitioning Maribyrnong Council to create its own ‘significant tree register’, rather than leave the responsibility for such listings to the National Trust.
Dr Greg Moore, chair of the National Trust’s Significant Tree Committee, said the Footscray oak tree would certainly have qualified for the trust’s listing in its original state, but may now fail given about a third of its canopy has been destroyed.
“This tree was a spectacular oak tree, it’s a real shame what is happening here.”
Dr Moore said he has written to all local councils at least three times over the last decade imploring them to create their own significant tree register.
Helen Lewers of Public Land Advocacy Network for the Environment said something must be done about a lack of consistency on trees and their protection across Victoria.
“They’re such an important part of people’s lives, we would like to see the state government take more of a role in protecting the environment.”
A spokesman for Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne said the onus is on local councils to identify which trees should be protected by local heritage overlays.
“If councils identify trees that should warrant heritage or landscape significance protection and make a submission for a planning scheme amendment, the minister will consider it on its merits.”
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson has also thrown her support behind greater action.
“Council should be doing all it can to establish the significance of the tree and if verified should be doing all it can to save it.”
Maribyrnong Council director of planning services Nigel Higgins defended the council using the National Trust Significant Tree Register to establish a tree’s significance, rather than creating its own local list.
“The tree in question has not been nominated as a significant tree and is not a species native to Victoria,” he said.
“The private property is in an Activity Centre Zone and requires no planning approval for removal.”
The Council has nevertheless engaged an independent arborist to assess the significance of the oak tree and is negotiating with the property owner about opportunities to retain it.
Neighbours are also adamant they will keep fighting to save the tree and refusing to allow the arborist onto their properties.
They have quickly attracted more than 270 signatures on a petition and launched a Facebook group.
They will also raise the matter at Tuesday night’s Maribyrnong Council meeting.
The property owner declined to comment.
