Melbourne City Council| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property

Eric Frei · 26th July 2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

A spokeswoman for the Melbourne City Council today confirmed the council had no power to protect trees on private property regardless of their historical value.

That is the quote from this article.

South Yarra residents mourn loss of historic peppercorn tree

Wow, and I thought they were forwards down there, even here in Brisbane development sites have private yards have tree protection.

Quote:

South Yarra residents are mourning the loss of a 150-year-old peppercorn tree - the last link to a chapter in Melbourne's history - which was lopped today despite developer promises it would be preserved.

As recently as yesterday, residents around Witchwood Close were assured by the developer of a housing project that the enormous tree was safe, despite the removal of two other trees on the site.

But the chainsaws were brought in late this morning, infuriating residents and a tree expert, who said the peppercorn was of horticultural as well as historical value.

"The tree was not only historical but it was a community landmark," said one resident, who did not want to be named.

"There are people around here who bought their flats and houses because they looked straight on to that tree.

"There's one particular chap who lives directly opposite the tree, and he said there's no reason for him to live here anymore."

The tree was planted in the early 1850s beside the large brick and stone house of wealthy Scottish lawyer David Ogilvy.

It was the final remnant of the 10-acre Ogilvy estate, which stretched from Close Street to Domain Road and had a vineyard which folded down towards the banks of the Yarra.

The peppercorn outlived the estate, which remained intact until the 1960s when it was subdivided into residential allotments.

Residents raised the alarm about the tree's fate earlier this week when developers removed two other trees on the site.

When approached about the fate of the peppercorn, the developer, Alex Murovanchic of Hobson River Pty Ltd, told residents yesterday that the tree was safe.

But in a change of heart, Hobson River ordered in the tree loppers shortly before lunchtime today. By midday, the peppercorn was a pile of branches and sawdust on the ground.

"So many people, all neighbours, complain about the tree because all the time would come from the ground big, huge problems," said Mr Murovanchic.

"All the time every month, blockages ... The roots from the tree come inside from the plumbing and destroys everything.

"I know the tree is beautiful. I know the tree is 150 years old. Still, if it destroys the buildings and plumbing what can you do?"

Mr Murovanchic's business partner said the decision to cut the tree down was made last night when the company learned its roots had caused $15,000 worth of damage to the property's sewerage system.

A spokeswoman for the Melbourne City Council today confirmed the council had no power to protect trees on private property regardless of their historical value.

Greg Moore, who chairs the National Trust of Significant Trees, said the tree had lived longer than most peppercorns.

"(They) tend to live to between 60 and 100 years then they start to decay," Dr Moore said.

"This one has developed into quite a large and reasonable specimen.

"There is a genuine concern about the loss of vegetation in private open space. As the city is redeveloped and the density of housing increases, a lot of that vegetation is being quietly lost.

"That means that habitat for birds and wildlife goes, but it also means that the cooling effect is lost, run-off after storms is greater.

"It's only one specimen but after you see it happening over and over again, it can have quite an impact."

Sean Freeman · 26th July 2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

"All the time every month, blockages ... The roots from the tree come inside from the plumbing and destroys everything.

"I know the tree is beautiful. I know the tree is 150 years old. Still, if it destroys the buildings and plumbing what can you do?"

Mr Murovanchic

Yep aint it a shame there's just nothing else that can be done when faced by such issues

....and after all the buildings will have a lifespan of say 70yrs tops????? Sure they are WAY more important than tree assets that live more than twice that...how silly of all those over emotional types...

Just lucky there are chaps around who know how to start a chainsaw and fix the problem.

Eric Frei · 26th July 2009, 05:07 PM

LOL, look at the picture of the trees, I dont think they were chainsawed ...

... looks like a something squashed it, or most likely an excavator tore it apart. There's some serious barber chairs in there.

What's the bet that the pipes are old crap terracotta, notorious for problems.

You can sleeve them these days, dont even have to dig!

Sean Freeman · 26th July 2009, 05:51 PM

I agree Eric modern pipework is nowhere near as vulnerable as the older clay pipe.

Drouin Tree Service · 26th July 2009, 07:49 PM

Thats a shame,there will be more to come of that.

TrevMcRev · 26th July 2009, 07:57 PM

Yes strangely city of melb itself doesnot have a local law regarding tree removals. Most of the surrounding councils as you spread out from the city centre do though.

Done it · 26th July 2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

LOL, look at the picture of the trees, I dont think they were chainsawed ...

... looks like a something squashed it, or most likely an excavator tore it apart. There's some serious barber chairs in there.

What's the bet that the pipes are old crap terracotta, notorious for problems.

You can sleeve them these days, dont even have to dig!

If this doesn't work, post 638.

[you], whatcha workin on right now?

Eric Frei · 26th July 2009, 10:44 PM

LOL, maybe he can explain those cuts then?!

Apocalypsse · 27th July 2009, 02:28 AM

Those aint cuts, thats what happened when the tree came down. It was only the neighbours across the road that didnt want it gone, all the residents in the surrounding flats wanted it gone, it has damaged all the buildings in the area. A year ago half the tree was removed because it was growing across the fence line, literaly half the tree was removed. Greg Moore didnt actually see the tree, he is a 3AW presenter they called in to.

The developers were well within their right to remove the tree, it was confirmed with Melbourne council before the tree was removed. The tree was deemed unsafe and rightfully so, several failures, one of the main branches was hollow where a limb had broken off.

Eric Frei · 27th July 2009, 12:04 PM

Oh, so you could fell the tree wholus bolus and it stood that high all busted up.

Apocalypsse · 27th July 2009, 07:21 PM

Yes indeed.

Eric Frei · 27th July 2009, 07:23 PM

Been paid yet?

Just checking for ya.

Apocalypsse · 28th July 2009, 01:01 AM

Theres a few days of cutting up that trunk into firewood. Thank god people with bobcats and big trucks like taking away lots of firewood no matter how bad it may be as firewood.

26th July 2009, 05:07 PM	#3
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property LOL, look at the picture of the trees, I dont think they were chainsawed ... ... looks like a something squashed it, or most likely an excavator tore it apart. There's some serious barber chairs in there. What's the bet that the pipes are old crap terracotta, notorious for problems. You can sleeve them these days, dont even have to dig! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

26th July 2009, 05:51 PM	#4
Sean Freeman Monument Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,985	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property I agree Eric modern pipework is nowhere near as vulnerable as the older clay pipe.

26th July 2009, 07:49 PM	#5
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,697	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Thats a shame,there will be more to come of that. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

26th July 2009, 07:57 PM	#6
TrevMcRev Mature Tree Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Posts: 1,605	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Yes strangely city of melb itself doesnot have a local law regarding tree removals. Most of the surrounding councils as you spread out from the city centre do though.

26th July 2009, 10:44 PM	#8
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property LOL, maybe he can explain those cuts then?! Attached Thumbnails __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th July 2009, 02:28 AM	#9
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Those aint cuts, thats what happened when the tree came down. It was only the neighbours across the road that didnt want it gone, all the residents in the surrounding flats wanted it gone, it has damaged all the buildings in the area. A year ago half the tree was removed because it was growing across the fence line, literaly half the tree was removed. Greg Moore didnt actually see the tree, he is a 3AW presenter they called in to. The developers were well within their right to remove the tree, it was confirmed with Melbourne council before the tree was removed. The tree was deemed unsafe and rightfully so, several failures, one of the main branches was hollow where a limb had broken off.

27th July 2009, 12:04 PM	#10
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Oh, so you could fell the tree wholus bolus and it stood that high all busted up. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

27th July 2009, 07:21 PM	#11
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Yes indeed.

27th July 2009, 07:23 PM	#12
Eric Frei Admin - Razor sharp and independent 2 X Diploma Level 5 qualified arborist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,820	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Been paid yet? Just checking for ya. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

28th July 2009, 01:01 AM	#13
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,154	Re: Melbourne City Council\| No Power To Protect Trees on Private Property Theres a few days of cutting up that trunk into firewood. Thank god people with bobcats and big trucks like taking away lots of firewood no matter how bad it may be as firewood.

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