Jennifer Pittorino
Hobsons Bay council has made the decision to uproot and relocate 160 trees that were planted in 2022 along a section of the Bay Trail.
In a meeting on Tuesday, May 9, councillors felt it was the best outcome out of a bad situation to remove every second tree of the 320 planted as part of the 2022 tree planting program.
The removal of the trees is in response to a petition put forward by Hobsons Bay, Brimbank, Maribyrnong and Wyndham residents that complained the trees were put in without community consultation.
Council conducted a consultation between January and March 2023, where a total of 743 submissions were received.
Of those submissions, 94 per cent (697 respondents) requested for all trees to be retained.
Of the properties immediately adjacent to the trail, the officers were able to speak directly with 34 properties: 19wanted all trees to be removed, nine wanted to keep all the trees and six wanted the numbers reduced.
Councillor Matt Tyler said council has learnt from the consultation and if they had their time over they would do it differently.
“There are no winners from this but we have to find a way through, it’s a compromised solution,” he said.
Council officers said that after looking at the feedback, removing every second tree is the best compromise.
Prior to the planting council officers undertook a consultation installing signage at multiple locations along the section of the trail being planted.
Council said it received no negative feedback regarding the plantings so proceeded with the planting.
Cr Daria Kellander voted against the decision saying it is a drastic measure and a waste of money.
“This is a terrible outcome for everyone involved , for the residents impacted because they don’t want the trees there and also for the greater Hobsons Bay because they support tree planting,” she said.
