Hornsby Council NSW Tree Law Change

Eric Frei

After 50 years and with it's fair share of controversy the council is reviewing it's tree laws and is open for comment.

Bushland Shire forced to review its 50-year-old tree protection policy - Local News - News - Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate

Hornsby Shire Council - On Exhibition - Tree and Vegetation Preservation

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Garry Brockley

A great find eric lets see what they do with the information they get!!

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Eric Frei

Early stages of new tree policy shows locals want natives protected - Council - News - Hornsby & Upper North Shore Advocate

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jmcg.insight.gardens

Eric Frei

Hornsby Council plans to implement a new Tree Preservation Order on 1 September 2011, which will make any tree which is not heritage or indigenous exempt from protection. All trees other than listed weed species are currently protected.

New tree preservation rules - Hornsby Shire Council

This came about by allowing residents to vote on 3 proposals.

And hello, just like we see in Laman Street where the councillors voted then a Mayor over-rid the decision now there is a petition out to try to change the result, funny that.

Whilst I will not interfere with them I do not agree with it.

A voluntary vote is just that, if you thought you had insufficient numbers as a sample of the electorate turn out to vote then the vote should have not proceeded, but it did. When the new rules are voted in at 55% majority vote that should be binding, but no, the people who did not get their own way now want a petition signed, sore losers in my book.

The petition is here:-

Stop Hornsby Tree Destruction Petition

If this new Tree Preservation LAw is now changed or another vote taken it shows how fragile and futile it is to allow a democratic decision in such a manner. People will argue that the average resident is not up to speed with tree and ecological issues and should not be entitled to vote. That such matters should be decided upon by "experts".

The usual scare scaremongering tactics are being played out:-
Such nonsense, like I have posted many times, go to places where there is no VPO's and what do you see, barren landscapes or lots of trees? Lots of trees.

People play this end of the world Armageddon card but it is a folly. You will read things like:-

Nice catch phrases, implications that anything contrary to the old or existing is simply not right and has to change back to what it was.

It will be a nice test case to watch. It is written that ultimately Councillors could change it and throw out the public vote taken. That will be the card played by the lobby.

I'm not signing the petition that is for sure however if you want to go ahead. I like the way SA and NZ have gone with trees, I believe blanket protection rules can be a PITA.

Stop Hornsby Tree Destruction Petition

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derwoodii

This is where I agree. TPO controls do jack but add bureaucracy and costs to the honest Joe while the others just cut and poison with few fines issued. In the end the greater percentage of removal applications are granted anyhoo. So why fuss just let the better contractors handle it they know what should stay or go, just give quarter to those who replant suitable after the chop.

Eg down here Glen Iria City nil controls & tons of trees. Next door Bayside City a complex list of TPO and overlays and gee wizz less trees I see.