Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back!

treestyle · 19th February 2011, 12:41 AM

So in a brief nutshell,

I used to work for Pine Rivers Shire Council, it amalgamated into MBRC, during this process it chose to dismantle tree services, now Tree inspection requests are dealt with by people who have no experience and no qualifications in Arboriculture.

when i resigned i emailed this out to all the Councillors and managers, directors etc. I was immediately made to recall the email, and i was paid out all money into bank account that arvo........wow in all my time i had never known council to be so efficient.

"I was always optimistic that the amalgamation process would result in changes for the better, and that only forward steps would be taken. I thought for sure that Tree Services would be strengthened, and new opportunities would exist for those specialised, experienced, educated and passionate in caring for our communities' trees. But, the day that I heard Tree Services had been dismantled and that individual team leaders with no Arboricultural experience or training would be responsible for managing our Urban Forest was when I knew all hope was lost.

Councils should be at the forefront of growing and giving worth to industries and trades, they should show due respect and acknowledgment for those who have chosen to specialise and pursue accreditation within their industry. Instead MBRC has weakened the Arboricultural industry in South East Queensland, by putting people in Tree Management positions who lack the experience and education. Those who have no passion or vision for maintaining and improving our urban forest should not be given an opportunity to ruin my community!

Around the home; if you have an electrical appliance to be installed or an electrical fault that requires fixing you would call a qualified Electrician. If you had blocked pipes or a plumbing issue you would want a qualified Plumber to rectify the problem. If you had a tree problem or were requiring advice or a management strategy for retaining a significant tree within your property, you would want a fully qualified Arborist to provide assistance. So why is it that we are providing the community, those who we are here to serve, with a less than satisfactory level of service? A lot of us would not be happy with a Garden Maintenance / Handy Man giving us advice on trees around our home, but that is exactly what we are offering.

The reason I wanted to work for Council? To care for my communities' urban forest. To me this was more than a job, it was a purpose. I truly wanted to serve the community and provide an exceptional level of quality tree care. The old Pine Rivers Parks Department shared this purpose. Sadly, now it seems that we are only here to serve ourselves and the system.

Could you imagine being a man who can see for a thousand miles, trying to blindly follow someone who can't see at all? "

I now work for a quality tree care company and am enjoying work once again.

Just recently i spotted 11 Poincianas of great significance had been heavily canopy lifted..... out the front kinda of Wantima Golf Course, on South Pine Road, Albany Creek. These trees were planted by previous council managers with the vision, of them growing down the bank on top which situated. Really was an excellent idea and perfect place to plant this species of tree. Possible traffic in excessive of 20,000 cars a day.....VERY PROMINENT, well they would of been. I have ideas though to improve the situation.

So yeah, anyway. upon closer inspection...ALL!!!! EVERY SINGLE cut either a stub a tear or way too big a wound. Plus they have damaged the trunk and tops of surface roots by winching the wrongly removed branches over them. this is pure disrespect and ignorance being displayed. this sort of action by a council is unacceptable.

Untrained, no experience inspector + shit contractors = ruined trees.

Managers who don't know anything and are only there coz they in the boys club and back stabbed all others during the amalgamation.

I was personally involved with the management and care for these trees and to see what has been down to them makes me sad.

Phoned local Councillor and have meeting Monday. Ha that'll be a spin out.... for him. HA!

Eric Frei · 19th February 2011, 06:05 AM

Excellent letter and accurate.

I also saw on Today Tonight last night that the council has given marching orders to long term elderly residents at the Bongaree Caravan Park, over 200 to be pushed out. They got till 2020 though.

Some of the homes there have been onsold in the past for sums up to $150K as a place to live, now worthless.

Uproar over caravan park lease changes - Council - News - Northern Times

Quote:

18 Feb 11
HOMES that cost up to $150,000 could be rendered worthless by Moreton Bay Regional Council’s decision to end long-term residency at Bongaree Caravan Park.
That is the fear of some residents who have regarded themselves as permanent occupants of the park, but who have been ordered out by June 2020.
Howard Gotch, who has lived at the park for five years, said some residents (220 by his count, 164 according to council) had spent $50,000-$150,000 on their homes, often their life savings, and now they were ``not worth a cracker’‘.
``People can’t afford to move anywhere else,’’ Mr Gotch said.
Bill Trusz, a resident of 23 years, said there were no vacant sites elsewhere in the area, and he and his wife Janice would struggle to afford to live anywhere else, even in public housing.
Mr Trusz said some people had been ``nervous wrecks’’ since they learnt they would have to leave, while he was ``ready to explode’‘.
On Tuesday, Councillor Gary Parsons (Div 1) won council agreement to seek a term lease over the park from its owner, the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM).
This type of lease would allow long-term occupancy. But the council wants to only pay a token, ``peppercorn’‘, amount ``that will have no adverse financial burden on the residents of the caravan park or council ratepayers’‘.
Cr Parsons said a lease proposed by the State Government was at least $210,000 a year, which would have ``a substantial impact’’ on rents.
Cr Parsons said he had not supported the decision to end leases.
State Member for Pumicestone Carryn Sullivan called the move a ``backflip’’ and said the council should ``stop whinging’’ about paying an ``appropriate price’‘.
``They have been bludging off the State Government since 1963,’’ she said.
Mr Trusz estimated residents of the caravan park paid $800,000 a year in rent.
The council said residents could still sell their caravans, with new owners able to secure a lease until 2020.
Mr Gotch and Mr Trusz suspected the council had plans to sell off the park.
But the council has said it will turn the 117 sites into an area for holidaymakers.

With the caravan park they'll oust the 52 weeks a year of rent from permanents for speculative seasonal higher holiday rates. I wonder how many people will be caravanning by 2020?

Drouin Tree Service · 19th February 2011, 02:00 PM

I brought a good EWP out of that amalgumation,sad to hear the council hasnt moved forward

Do you recognise the truck??

treestyle · 19th February 2011, 07:16 PM

The colour of the water in the river after the flood is really shitty

treestyle · 7th March 2011, 04:22 PM

Man,

It saddens and makes me feel totally worthless as a professional tradesman to have gone through this sort of shit without any support at all from other Arborists and with no support from an industry association.

When is the Arb industry going to grow a set of balls and start fighting for what we deserve?...... and most importantly, what the trees deserve.

So much more to say.........

Eric Frei · 7th March 2011, 06:32 PM

So you've been here 4 years with 128 posts, not much action either compared to all the cases I fought and am still fighting and funding from my own pocket.

We've got Mackay memorial figs, mangroves in Brisbane, dirty BCC tricks slamming VPO's on trees, Landmark trees felled due to BCC blunder etc etc etc ... where were you?

And for the other lurkers, where were you too!

Change is happened and so is resentment to it, think about that.

treestyle · 7th March 2011, 06:54 PM

where was I?

I was out fighting my own losing battles, but the war is not lost.

Eric Frei · 7th March 2011, 07:04 PM

So rally the troops.

I openly declare no affiliation with any organisation.

I openly fight for everyone's right to an education regardless of membership to an organisation.

I openly fight for everyone's right to work regardless of membership to an organisation.

I have provided tons of evidence of why.... because they are boys clubs harbouring and hiding inappropriate practices, illegal activities, preferential treatment etc etc etc.

Have a good read through the Chinderah Tavern Tree Thread .... pretty objective.

Have a look through the Mary Street Fiasco and see the detail we went to so people can see the BS, see how an arborist counts roots under a road in one case and not in another to suit the payer!

It's about being objective and scientific, not being some-ones mate.

We know Orgs are in the pockets of council, don't expect much from them. But people continue to pay their fees to get them stickers for their truck eh.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 9th March 2011, 12:50 AM

Quote:

It saddens and makes me feel totally worthless as a professional tradesman to have gone through this sort of shit without any support at all from other Arborists and with no support from an industry association.

you got support here

what sort of support do you think an association is going to give you?

I've belonged to two, in other professions (a persons got to make a living where they can as a sole parent, I've always juggled more than one form of work). One association promised much but did absolutely nothing in any form, they made six million in fees and CPD in a year, so much for a not for profit organisation, belonging to them was bulls....

I gained nothing in reality by being part of that association, so I dumped them. I now work for myself, pay no fees, yes, life throws up crap, but I'm not wasting money on an association that just takes your money yearly.

As far as you feeling worthless, you are NOT worthless, you and everyone else are important.

Just don't be conned that an association (that you have to belong to get work) will make things better, what will they actually do for you. I'd be having a real good look before I jumped into one again

treestyle · 10th March 2011, 09:16 PM

I don't belong to an association, I was once a member for a year but then they never sent me a renewal when my next fees due. So that was that.

jmcg.insight.gardens · 10th March 2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

I don't belong to an association, I was once a member for a year but then they never sent me a renewal when my next fees due. So that was that.
9th March 2011 01:50 AM

Good for you. Just goes to prove that they weren't doing much for you really. Otherwise you would have chased them up.

Do not have to belong to an association to be a good arborist, and you have people here to talk to whenever things go to crap. You guys do a hard job. I know what it feels like to come home feeling beat and sometimes dissallusioned after work after a hard days yakka, I might be a chick but I'm a tradie and I do manual work too.

19th February 2011, 12:41 AM	#1
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! So in a brief nutshell, I used to work for Pine Rivers Shire Council, it amalgamated into MBRC, during this process it chose to dismantle tree services, now Tree inspection requests are dealt with by people who have no experience and no qualifications in Arboriculture. when i resigned i emailed this out to all the Councillors and managers, directors etc. I was immediately made to recall the email, and i was paid out all money into bank account that arvo........wow in all my time i had never known council to be so efficient. "I was always optimistic that the amalgamation process would result in changes for the better, and that only forward steps would be taken. I thought for sure that Tree Services would be strengthened, and new opportunities would exist for those specialised, experienced, educated and passionate in caring for our communities' trees. But, the day that I heard Tree Services had been dismantled and that individual team leaders with no Arboricultural experience or training would be responsible for managing our Urban Forest was when I knew all hope was lost. Councils should be at the forefront of growing and giving worth to industries and trades, they should show due respect and acknowledgment for those who have chosen to specialise and pursue accreditation within their industry. Instead MBRC has weakened the Arboricultural industry in South East Queensland, by putting people in Tree Management positions who lack the experience and education. Those who have no passion or vision for maintaining and improving our urban forest should not be given an opportunity to ruin my community! Around the home; if you have an electrical appliance to be installed or an electrical fault that requires fixing you would call a qualified Electrician. If you had blocked pipes or a plumbing issue you would want a qualified Plumber to rectify the problem. If you had a tree problem or were requiring advice or a management strategy for retaining a significant tree within your property, you would want a fully qualified Arborist to provide assistance. So why is it that we are providing the community, those who we are here to serve, with a less than satisfactory level of service? A lot of us would not be happy with a Garden Maintenance / Handy Man giving us advice on trees around our home, but that is exactly what we are offering. The reason I wanted to work for Council? To care for my communities' urban forest. To me this was more than a job, it was a purpose. I truly wanted to serve the community and provide an exceptional level of quality tree care. The old Pine Rivers Parks Department shared this purpose. Sadly, now it seems that we are only here to serve ourselves and the system. Could you imagine being a man who can see for a thousand miles, trying to blindly follow someone who can't see at all? " I now work for a quality tree care company and am enjoying work once again. Just recently i spotted 11 Poincianas of great significance had been heavily canopy lifted..... out the front kinda of Wantima Golf Course, on South Pine Road, Albany Creek. These trees were planted by previous council managers with the vision, of them growing down the bank on top which situated. Really was an excellent idea and perfect place to plant this species of tree. Possible traffic in excessive of 20,000 cars a day.....VERY PROMINENT, well they would of been. I have ideas though to improve the situation. So yeah, anyway. upon closer inspection...ALL!!!! EVERY SINGLE cut either a stub a tear or way too big a wound. Plus they have damaged the trunk and tops of surface roots by winching the wrongly removed branches over them. this is pure disrespect and ignorance being displayed. this sort of action by a council is unacceptable. Untrained, no experience inspector + shit contractors = ruined trees. Managers who don't know anything and are only there coz they in the boys club and back stabbed all others during the amalgamation. I was personally involved with the management and care for these trees and to see what has been down to them makes me sad. Phoned local Councillor and have meeting Monday. Ha that'll be a spin out.... for him. HA! Last edited by treestyle; 19th February 2011 at 12:48 AM.

19th February 2011, 02:00 PM	#3
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,727	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! I brought a good EWP out of that amalgumation,sad to hear the council hasnt moved forward Do you recognise the truck?? Attached Thumbnails __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne Last edited by Drouin Tree Service; 19th February 2011 at 08:19 PM.

19th February 2011, 07:16 PM	#4
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! The colour of the water in the river after the flood is really shitty

7th March 2011, 04:22 PM	#5
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! Man, It saddens and makes me feel totally worthless as a professional tradesman to have gone through this sort of shit without any support at all from other Arborists and with no support from an industry association. When is the Arb industry going to grow a set of balls and start fighting for what we deserve?...... and most importantly, what the trees deserve. So much more to say.........

7th March 2011, 06:32 PM	#6
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! So you've been here 4 years with 128 posts, not much action either compared to all the cases I fought and am still fighting and funding from my own pocket. We've got Mackay memorial figs, mangroves in Brisbane, dirty BCC tricks slamming VPO's on trees, Landmark trees felled due to BCC blunder etc etc etc ... where were you? And for the other lurkers, where were you too! Change is happened and so is resentment to it, think about that. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

7th March 2011, 06:54 PM	#7
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! where was I? I was out fighting my own losing battles, but the war is not lost.

7th March 2011, 07:04 PM	#8
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! So rally the troops. I openly declare no affiliation with any organisation. I openly fight for everyone's right to an education regardless of membership to an organisation. I openly fight for everyone's right to work regardless of membership to an organisation. I have provided tons of evidence of why.... because they are boys clubs harbouring and hiding inappropriate practices, illegal activities, preferential treatment etc etc etc. Have a good read through the Chinderah Tavern Tree Thread .... pretty objective. Have a look through the Mary Street Fiasco and see the detail we went to so people can see the BS, see how an arborist counts roots under a road in one case and not in another to suit the payer! It's about being objective and scientific, not being some-ones mate. We know Orgs are in the pockets of council, don't expect much from them. But people continue to pay their fees to get them stickers for their truck eh. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

10th March 2011, 09:16 PM	#10
treestyle Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Brisbane Posts: 127	Re: Moreton Bay Regional Council just broke the camels back! I don't belong to an association, I was once a member for a year but then they never sent me a renewal when my next fees due. So that was that.

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