Avenue of Honour Trees

Jeff Darby · 13th February 2011, 07:38 AM

It will be interesting to see what comes of this given the fact the person who nearly was killed was a councillor.

Quote:

MOORABOOL councillor Allan Comrie had a lucky escape when a fallen tree branch smashed through his car windscreen while he was driving through Bacchus Marsh’s Avenue of Honour.

The council has long highlighted the poor condition of the Avenue’s trees to help state its case for the proposed Woolpack Rd roundabout linking to the Western Highway.

Cr Comrie, who was driving alone, said the branch crashed through the passenger side of his ute’s windscreen and would have seriously injured or even killed any passenger in the vehicle.

After doing research into the Avenue of Honour you can see that its time to start devising a plan for the staged removal and replacement of the Honour Trees.

Quote:

“The arborists can’t predict decay in every branch in every tree.”

This is true a statement by David Serpell, if the tree appears healthy and has no visible signs of structural weakness or decay we as Arborists are just as likely to be a victim here as well. Arborist strive to keep trees in a healthy safe condition but predicting failures when there is no warning signs displayed by the trees is like trying to predict the winning lotto numbers..

Quote:

“You can see the branch was rotten inside, the difficulty is you can’t predict that,” he said.

So I would like to put forward its the actions of the radical tree huggers that indeed keep dangerous trees a threat to the community.
They do this by staging protest, rallys and chaining them selves to trees to stop remedial action being performed.

Tree smashes councillor's car in Bacchus Marsh - Council - News - Melton Leader

Apocalypsse · 13th February 2011, 09:14 AM

Quote:

This is true a statement by Cr Comrie, if the tree appears healthy and has no visible signs of structural weakness or decay we as Arborists are just as likely to be a victim here as well. Arborist strive to keep trees in a healthy safe condition but predicting failures when there is no warning signs displayed by the trees is like trying to predict the winning lotto numbers..

The quoted comment was actually said by "Council’s general manager of infrastructure and shire development, David Serpell"

Last year @ TAFE we talked about these trees and their poor condition. A lot of the trees have had all kinds of crap nailed into them for signs, fencing, etc. I haven't seen pictures for a while so I can't remember all the details.

Eric Frei · 13th February 2011, 07:17 PM

Some more:-

Quote:

Shattered: Cr Allan Comrie's windscreen was smashed by a falling tree branch on the Avenue of Honour. Picture: Marco De Luca

SEPARATE cases of branches falling near Bacchus Marsh's Avenue of Honour show that sick trees must be replaced urgently, according to Moorabool Council infrastructure general manager David Serpell.

A change in wind direction caused the two incidents about 3pm on February 1.

Cr Allan Comrie, of East Moorabool ward, said he narrowly escaped death when a branch fell onto his Falcon ute. It smashed the windscreen and headlights, dented the bonnet and brought down a live powerline on the ute. "I saw it break off the tree," he said. "I slammed the brakes on but realised it was too late. Then I tried to back out but the powerlines were right across the top, so I got out of the car and started directing the traffic."

Mr Serpell said the tree was not part of the formal Avenue of Honour, which finishes at Crook Street about 70 metres to the east. "These trees are of similar age and condition to those in the Avenue of Honour." The second incident was west of Woolpack Road.

Mr Serpell said that tree had not been earmarked for removal - based on its condition - in the next 10 years, which showed the assessment of trees was not an exact science.

"It also reinforces that the trees that have been identified as an unsatisfactory risk are in worse condition than this one, and their replacement must be considered seriously, with appropriate urgency."

The council has received permission from Heritage Victoria for the removal of eight sick trees by early next month. Mr Serpell said the tree from which the branch fell was not one of eight others earmarked for removal as part of the controversial Woolpack Road roundabout project. "This tree is eight trees to the west of those affected by that project."

Mr Serpell said both incidents had disrupted traffic, but the road had remained open.

This could have been worse:-

Quote:

"I slammed the brakes on but realised it was too late. Then I tried to back out but the powerlines were right across the top, so I got out of the car and started directing the traffic."

I'm always intrigued how the various factions of bureaucracy and arboricultural extremes (tree huggers and tree haters) grapple with use by dates.

Apocalypsse · 13th February 2011, 09:49 PM

Trees approved for removal?! I hope the crew doing that has someone that has wtf good patience with angry crowd control.

Has anyone got some decent pics of the trees on the avenue?

Josh Wrigley · 19th February 2011, 08:49 PM

Here here on the removal of dead trees.

However, on a side note; the industry that I work in would never allow such an incident to take place. ie; potentially hazardous trees are dropped before it becomes an issue.

This is the completely opposite end of the scale, however it does show that those with absolutely no understanding of trees can make knee-jerk decisions about their removal.

Thus, my commitment to changing from a tree faller to climber will help prevent the unnecessary removal of old growth timber.

I'm still new here, please be nice

Apocalypsse · 19th February 2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes

Here here on the removal of dead trees.

However, on a side note; the industry that I work in would never allow such an incident to take place. ie; potentially hazardous trees are dropped before it becomes an issue.

This is the completely opposite end of the scale, however it does show that those with absolutely no understanding of trees can make knee-jerk decisions about their removal.

Thus, my commitment to changing from a tree faller to climber will help prevent the unnecessary removal of old growth timber.

I'm still new here, please be nice

Well the trees in the Avenue aren't dead, although they aren't in a favorable condition. If they had been looked after properly like the ones in the city then there would be reason to keep fighting for them, but with their history I wouldn't be losing any sleep over them.

Josh Wrigley · 19th February 2011, 11:14 PM

I'm not trying to advocate the non removal of trees under any circumstance. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the trees in question do need to go.

I am only trying to highlight that in different parts of this country that certain industries see trees as an annoyance and I feel as professionals in our fields that we all see this as a shame.

I am in no means trying to put myself on an arborists level (although I would hope to make it there one day), I am only trying to illustrate the differing of opinions of when the tree "will be ok" except when it dangers a life.

My apologies if I sound like I am ranting, but I have been trying to make my point heard for some time. Alas, some people cant see the forest for the trees.

Thanks again.

Apocalypsse · 20th February 2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wes

I'm not trying to advocate the non removal of trees under any circumstance. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the trees in question do need to go.

I am only trying to highlight that in different parts of this country that certain industries see trees as an annoyance and I feel as professionals in our fields that we all see this as a shame.

I am in no means trying to put myself on an arborists level (although I would hope to make it there one day), I am only trying to illustrate the differing of opinions of when the tree "will be ok" except when it dangers a life.

My apologies if I sound like I am ranting, but I have been trying to make my point heard for some time. Alas, some people cant see the forest for the trees.

Thanks again.

No apologies needed, you aint seen ranting until you read some of my posts. Just agreeing with you on a more topic related serious business way. My passion gets the better of me sometimes.

Eric Frei · 27th January 2012, 12:08 PM

Hmmmm .......

Minister blocks Bacchus March Avenue of Honour tree removal plan - Local News - News - Melton Leader

Quote:

Minister blocks Bacchus March Avenue of Honour tree removal plan
26 Jan 12 @ 10:18am by Andrew Jefferson

UPDATE 12.50pm: MOORABOOL Mayor Pat Griffin said he was very disappointed by Planning Minister Matthew Guy’s decision to block a bid to remove five trees from the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour..

“I had a phone from the Minister’s chief of staff last night and he told me they would do everything it takes to find an alternative,” Cr Griffin said.

“However, there are no alternatives.

“I’m very disappointed, we’ve lost this battle but the war goes on.

“We’re talking about five trees here, as opposed to the future of Bacchus Marsh.”

Earlier report, 10.18am: THE Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour will be retained in its entirety after Planning Minister Matthew Guy refused a permit for the removal of five mature Dutch elm trees for the construction of a roundabout.

Mr Guy has been deliberating for four months on whether to allow a roundabout on the Avenue linking Woolpack Rd to the Western Highway before announcing his decision today on Australia Day.

Moorabool Mayor Pat Griffin and council officers met with representatives of Mr Guy on Monday to plead for a quick decision to end the uncertainty.

Prior to the meeting, the council was considering giving Mr Guy an ultimatum that it would publicly voice its displeasure if no decision was forthcoming.

Three days later a decision was announced.

Privately, the council says it heard Mr Guy was in favour of a roundabout but Premier Ted Baillieu had reservations after supporting local Avenue of Honours prior to the last state election.

Mr Guy said he believed it was critical to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted nature of this significant cultural heritage landmark.

“The Bacchus Marsh Avenue and its magnificent cathedral-like arching canopy is a living memorial to those who served our country,’’ he said.

“The Avenue of Honour is an impressive visual spectacle and I believe the removal of trees would have significantly and irreplaceably damaged this unique memorial.

“This decision also fulfills our election commitment to the people of Victoria to preserve the Avenue of Honour in Bacchus Marsh after the previous Labor Government advanced earlier plans to demolish part of the historic avenue.

“As we approach the Centenary of Anzac Day it is fitting that the avenue’s place in our history is assured by this decision to retain its continuous and unbroken character for future generations.’‘

In April Mr Guy called in the matter from the Heritage Council under the Heritage Act after appeals by VicRoads and Moorabool Council to an earlier decision by Heritage Victoria to refuse a permit for the proposed roundabout.

“There are other alternatives to the proposed roadwork by VicRoads which will now be examined to provide similar improvements for road transport,’‘
Mr Guy said.

Melton state Labor MP Don Nardella called it “an appalling decision by an appalling government”.

“The RSL locally, statewide and nationally were all in favour of this roundabout,” he said.

“This decision is not going to assist the Bacchus Marsh community struggling with traffic problems each day, so I would ask the Government what is their plan?”

Tony Knight · 27th January 2012, 12:38 PM

Secrecy on island rezoning lands Baillieu in hot water | theage.com.au

Quote:

Secrecy on island rezoning lands Baillieu in hot water

Royce Millar January 21, 2012

THE Baillieu government has been accused of covering up favours for mates after the suppression of departmental advice on a developer's request for rezoning of farmland on Phillip Island.

A freedom of information request by opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee has unearthed the existence of two early versions of advice on the request for Planning Minister Matthew Guy to override the Bass Coast council and rezone 23 hectares of farmland for housing at the small hamlet of Ventnor.

The government has released only a third version of the recommendation, in which senior planning official David Hodge ultimately recommended the minister intervene to approve the rezoning, despite a decade-long planning process including two independent panel reports opposing housing on the site. It has suppressed the earlier two versions of the advice, claiming their release would not be in the public interest.

Secrecy surrounding the first two versions of the recommendations has fuelled suspicions that the earlier advice was against ministerial intervention.

''This raises serious questions about the political nature of this minister's decision making,'' said Mr Tee. ''It leaves the integrity of the planning process in tatters.''

Yesterday, Mr Guy refused to be interviewed by The Saturday Age about the Ventnor matter.

In a surprise move in September, the minister announced his intention to rezone the land against the wishes of Bass Coast Shire Council, citing as a major justification housing affordability.

Mr Guy's intervention sparked a furious community response and backlash from within the Liberal Party. Hollywood starlet Miley Cyrus bought into the row, with her tweets about the threats to Phillip Island making the issue international. Mr Guy was forced into an embarrassing backflip within days of his initial decision.

News of the suppression of advice on Ventnor follows the revelation by The Age of a lawsuit against Mr Guy by the purchasers of the property, claiming that in his U-turn on Ventnor he failed to follow proper planning processes and instead succumbed to pressure by Liberal heavyweights, notably local federal MP Greg Hunt. But inquiries by The Saturday Age point to Liberal links being employed in lobbying both for the initial intervention and in the campaign for it to be overturned. Included among them is the fact that the lead figure in the bid to have the land rezoned, Melbourne developer Jim Hopkins, joined the Phillip Island Liberal Party in mid-2011, soon after his wife, Carley Nicholls, signed a contract to purchase the contested site. Mr Tee called on the government to ''come clean'' and explain the background to both his initial decision to rezone land at Ventnor, and the reversal of that decision.

''This is an old fashioned looking-after-your-mates type of system, and that is not the way we should conduct planning in Victoria,'' Mr Tee said.

Last week The Age reported on the final recommendation to the minister by senior planning official David Hodge, which supported the ministers' intervention and rezoning.

However, that recommendation was accompanied by a report that appeared to be at odds with the advice to intervene, pointing out that Phillip Island had sufficient vacant land to satisfy housing demand and warning of the potential threats development posed for the nearby colony of short-tailed shearwaters. At no point does Mr Hodge's advice argue for rezoning in the name of housing affordability.

More of Matty and Teds mates, this governments platform for election was transperancy and openess.hmmmmm

13th February 2011, 09:49 PM	#4
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Avenue of Honour Trees Trees approved for removal?! I hope the crew doing that has someone that has wtf good patience with angry crowd control. Has anyone got some decent pics of the trees on the avenue?

19th February 2011, 08:49 PM	#5
Josh Wrigley Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Coast, Tasmania Posts: 35	Re: Avenue of Honour Trees Here here on the removal of dead trees. However, on a side note; the industry that I work in would never allow such an incident to take place. ie; potentially hazardous trees are dropped before it becomes an issue. This is the completely opposite end of the scale, however it does show that those with absolutely no understanding of trees can make knee-jerk decisions about their removal. Thus, my commitment to changing from a tree faller to climber will help prevent the unnecessary removal of old growth timber. I'm still new here, please be nice

19th February 2011, 11:14 PM	#7
Josh Wrigley Sappling Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: West Coast, Tasmania Posts: 35	Re: Avenue of Honour Trees I'm not trying to advocate the non removal of trees under any circumstance. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the trees in question do need to go. I am only trying to highlight that in different parts of this country that certain industries see trees as an annoyance and I feel as professionals in our fields that we all see this as a shame. I am in no means trying to put myself on an arborists level (although I would hope to make it there one day), I am only trying to illustrate the differing of opinions of when the tree "will be ok" except when it dangers a life. My apologies if I sound like I am ranting, but I have been trying to make my point heard for some time. Alas, some people cant see the forest for the trees. Thanks again.

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