Supreme court action to stop line clearance

S.O.P · 16th October 2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

She said many of the issues were caused by councils planting ``unsuitable trees” too close to powerlines.

Yeah, 15-30 years ago.

AS 4373 wasn't used years ago either, consider how far arboriculture has come in that time.

Though, disclaimer time, developers still plant poorly and I still see door-to-door tree loppers destroying trees, one after the other.

Apocalypsse · 16th October 2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.O.P

Yeah, 15-30 years ago.

AS 4373 wasn't used years ago either, consider how far arboriculture has come in that time.

Though, disclaimer time, developers still plant poorly and I still see door-to-door tree loppers destroying trees, one after the other.

It still happens today, councils plant Eucs under LV/HV and a variety of other trees that will be through the lines within 3-5 years.

S.O.P · 16th October 2010, 10:37 AM

Which Council?

Apocalypsse · 16th October 2010, 02:02 PM

Several Victoria councils.

Eric Frei · 16th October 2010, 06:18 PM

One of the other problems with certain trees is that when valleyed out for lines the top side (sunny side up) of the scaffold branches get loads of epicormic shoots and a hedging thing then happens, certain trees like say Leopard trees.

Eric Frei · 31st October 2010, 05:40 PM

Jeez they just love to use those emotive words and imply incompetence, dirty tactics and typical.

But I think ETSA hit back with the fact ....

Quote:

ETSA spokesman Paul Roberts said NP&SP council had rejected requests to carry out the pruning itself, or to pay to bury power lines, but it was ``working co-operatively’’ to resolve the concerns.

Here's the full story:- Trees saved in ETSA trimming truce - Council - News - East Torrens Messenger

Quote:

ABOUT 380 street trees ``significantly endangered’’ by ETSA’s tree pruning regime in Norwood, Payneham & St Peters will remain untouched while the council and the utility can explore alternatives.

Under one option NP&SP ratepayers could share costs of insulating low voltage power lines to allow the 386 trees scattered across the district to be trimmed less frequently.

The news represents a compromise of sorts in the long-running battle between the council and ETSA over street tree pruning.

It follows calls last week by NP&SP chief executive Mario Barone for ETSA to halt all tree pruning in the area, amid concerns about the standard of its pruning.

ETSA refused but agreed to spare some trees which, if pruning went ahead, could see them cut back to the trunk.

Mr Barone said the council would continue to monitor the ``quality and method’’ of ETSA’s pruning while negotiations continued over the fate of the excluded trees.

``We believe if pruning of these 386 trees is undertaken they will be significantly endangered,’’ he said.

About 1600 of the 2700 street trees identified for pruning in the district have been cut since ETSA’s three-yearly trimming program started in August.

The pruning, authorised under state laws, clears branches away from power lines to reduce the fire risk.

Mr Barone said NP&SP would now investigate the cost of the different options, which could include stringing lines away from branches or bundling several wires into one insulated line.

The alternatives and the costs are likely to be considered by elected members in December.

Mr Barone said the council would also ask the State Government to re-examine the laws governing the clearing of branches away from power lines, to limit the impact of ETSA’s pruning.

``There is a need for ETSA to have properly trained people to do the work and to have a culture that respects the health and amenity value of the trees.’‘

ETSA spokesman Paul Roberts said NP&SP council had rejected requests to carry out the pruning itself, or to pay to bury power lines, but it was ``working co-operatively’’ to resolve the concerns.

He said the different options varied according to the type of line, the variety of tree and its rate of growth.

``It’s hard to be specific because we’re talking about a living thing that grows,’’ he said.

The council would be asked to help meet some of the cost of the alternatives.

``We would expect a contribution from the council because it is over and above the cost of trimming.’’

I did post a comment to that article, wonder if it will get published, if not a copy below, I'll also email ETSA to let them know what we think.

Quote:

We have been watching this case for a long time.

Supreme court action to stop line clearance

The emotive expressions of the ignorant are always interesting, the latest emotional outburst is "significantly endangered". Nice catch phrase invented to incite enthusiasm amongst the fool hardy. Are the trees an endangered species? I doubt it.

ETSA should be billing the tree owners for their works anyway, maybe then people (including taxing councils wasting rate payers money on illogical legal cases) would pull their finger out and perhaps plan a bit better. Perhaps they'd be proactive and rather than complain do something about it at their cost.

Then there's the suggestion that ETSA have "properly trained people to do the work and to have a culture that respects the health and amenity value of the trees", how would he know they do or don't? How would he knowif they have been cutting to AS4373 standards or not? Funny how those without the experience or expertise in a field can make denigrating remarks about the decent work of others.

I hope ETSA get a bus load of money off these clowns.

Eric Frei · 17th August 2011, 07:12 PM

Same ole same ole, people just don't get it and they all experts eh.

Prospect trees left 'butchered' - Environment - News - City North Messenger

Quote:

16 Aug 11

RADICAL pruning has “butchered” some of the inner-north’s leafiest streets, concerned residents say.

ETSA is undertaking its latest pruning regime to clear the streets’ powerlines from tree branches.

Trees along Braund Rd (pictured) in Prospect and Fitzroy, as well as trees on Churchill Rd, were last week pruned by ETSA workers, with many being chopped through the centre and left in a Y-shape.

Braund Rd resident Karyn Cotter was concerned the excessive pruning was ruining local streetscapes.

“ETSA just butchers the trees. I could probably do a better job,” Ms Cotter said.

“I think they have to do it but they seem . . . (to be) pretty hacked.”

ETSA began its three-yearly tree pruning across Prospect in June and has cut back almost all of the planned 1500 street trees.

The pruning, authorised under state laws, clears branches away from power lines to reduce the fire risk.

ETSA has defended its contentious tree pruning methods, saying clearing branches is a matter of public safety.

The company says it is legally bound to clear branches around wires to reduce the fire risk.

Tony Knight · 17th August 2011, 07:28 PM

Damed if you comply to the law, out of a job if you don't.

Regards

Tony

Brent Ferris · 18th August 2011, 11:55 AM

So why not plant the short trees/shrubs under power lines that top out around 25 to 30 feet, and plant the taller trees away from the lines -- and keep all the residents and power companies working together? There are plenty of species. Isn't there enough work for us in the private areas?

Apocalypsse · 18th August 2011, 03:38 PM

I want to see more news articles coming out of Victoria, see if they get the facts right like it is law to have trees 1m away from powerlines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by treeshaveneeds

So why not plant the short trees/shrubs under power lines that top out around 25 to 30 feet, and plant the taller trees away from the lines -- and keep all the residents and power companies working together? There are plenty of species. Isn't there enough work for us in the private areas?

I think it mostly depends on who runs the Arbor side of things in council. Some councils are doing the right thing while others continue to plant trees under powerlines that will be through them within 3-5 years.

Apocalypsse · 17th September 2011, 06:36 PM

Found a fairly recent article while looking @ searching for company websites. Its such a shame the tree crews cop all the flak when either the council or power company could remedy the issue.

Locals are hacked off by rough cutting by Sydney Metro Tree Services - Environment - News - Parramatta Advertiser

Quote:

15 Sep 11
Locals are hacked off by rough cutting by Sydney Metro Tree Services

THEY’RE back.

The “cowboys with chainsaws” that lately visited Girraween were in Greystanes and Merrylands last week, trimming trees back from the powerlines.

Along Merrylands Rd from Merrylands to Greystanes and on Cumberland Rd, Victor St, Brighton St and surrounding roads, the nature strip trees have been “cut to Australian standard” by sub-contractors Sydney Metro Tree Services on behalf of Endeavour Energy.

Local resident Lynette Burrell reckons it looks like “a nuclear blast site”.

“I’m not a tree-hugger but I can’t stand the way they’ve hacked them,” she said.

It’s a feeling shared by councillor Allan Ezzy, who raised the matter at the last council meeting, describing the trimmers as “cowboys with chainsaws”.

“It’s a disgrace,” he told the meeting.

“You don’t see it happening on the north shore ... something has to be done.”

But it is not clear exactly what is to be done.

Where other councils have area-wide management plans, Holroyd Council has written to local members and Endeavour Energy asking that they employ an arborist.

But Endeavour’s contractor, Sydney Metro Tree Services, maintains that this is unnecessary.

“Sometimes beautiful trees and powerlines don’t always go together,” a spokesman said. “All our workers are TAFE qualified and cut to Australian standards of tree work.”

A solution seems some way off.

Eric Frei · 16th October 2011, 02:49 PM

I honestly believe that some people are that dumb that they cannot use Google!

If they could they would make such stupid comments.

Now I grew up in Rostrevor. I know these trees and streets.

Rostrevor trees to go after ETSA's pruning - Local News - News - East Torrens Messenger

Quote:

Rostrevor trees to go after ETSA's pruning
12 Oct 11

OVERPRUNED: Matilda Ranaldo with a trimmed tree on Stradbroke Rd between Morialta Rd and Porter Tce.

MORE than 20 Rostrevor street trees, including two significant redgums, will be dug up in the aftermath of an ETSA pruning exercise, drawing harsh criticism from Campbelltown Council and neighbours.

The Stradbroke Rd trees will be felled after their recent pruning left them ``structurally destroyed’‘, Campbelltown Council says.

The eucalypts and wattles as tall as 8m opposite Morialta Conservation Park, were trimmed to clear at least 3m from the powerlines.

Mayor Simon Brewer said it was a ``total abomination that 24 trees will have to be removed from this area as a result of the ETSA massacre’‘.

“How can we have gone for all of these years with no problems and all of a sudden we require total destruction?” Mr Brewer said.

An ETSA spokesman defended the pruning and said the trees were structurally sound but would be felled because they were “unsightly”.

Campbelltown’s urban trees manager Henry Haavisto said he had asked for the 24 trees between Morialta Rd and Porter Tce to be cut down because they were “structurally destroyed and not worthy of retention”.

“When a tree is put under intense pressure, like when it is cut back harshly, it reacts and produces epicormic shoots which is a stress growth,” Mr Haavisto said.

“Pruning can be done a little bit more sympathetically and a little bit lighter.”

Resident Matilda Ranaldo, who lives on Seminary Way, said the pruning had gone too far.

“Usually I can look out and see the trees, but now it is a bit bare,” Mrs Ranaldo said.

“Normally the trimming is pretty good but this time they trimmed the trees right back.”

Silvana Gentilcore said it would be a shame if the trees were removed.

“This area is all about beautiful trees,” Ms Gentilcore said.

An ETSA spokesman said the trees’ removal and replacement with more suitable species would “provide a better outcome in terms of community safety and aesthetics”.

People for the Trees founder Suzanne Hudson said trees should not be pruned during spring.

“The birds are nesting and the urban wildlife are having their babies,” Ms Hudson said. “The way they prune often causes destruction of the tree.”

TreeNet director David Lawry said it was a pity that trees had to be cleared at all.

“Undergrounding the powerlines would have made this avoidable,” Mr Lawry said.

“ETSA needs to consider the consequences of the loss of carbon in all their pruning programs.”

BUSHFIRE RISK

ETSA has defended its tree pruning methods, saying the Stradbroke Rd trees are in a bushfire risk area.

The company says it is legally bound to clear branches around wires to reduce the fire risk.

“We have no discretion in our tree trimming in bushfire risk areas,” an ETSA spokesman said.

“The trees remain structurally sound but we and the council agree they are unsightly as a result of cutting to the required clearances, which is going to have to be repeated on a regular basis.”

He said the specific clearances varied along Stradbroke Rd and depended on the length and voltage of the wires.

The trees required “more extensive trimming” than usual because of consistent rainfall and tree growth he said.

Feedback submitted to ETSA website:-

Quote:

All details in this thread and have been watching for a long time. You guys are getting an ignorant media fuelled wrap that frankly is undeserved.

Latest piece I wrote is here.

Supreme court action to stop line clearance

I really know you are doing a good job and what goes on. I, as an arborsit, would like to help and feel for you getting tarnished by ignorant people. The whole thread is dedicated to you (ETSA) and I hope we help.

Regards
Eric Frei

Apocalypsse · 16th October 2011, 05:55 PM

Going to be a lot more stories like this popping up from Victoria soon. A lot of councils/contractors are on 1 year cycles now to keep everything 1m clear of the wires, no matter how big the branch is.

Drouin Tree Service · 16th October 2011, 06:17 PM

Theres going to be a LOT more line clearance work in Victoria,new bushfire regulations.

Apocalypsse · 16th October 2011, 07:33 PM

Yep, for all the bushfires in metro Melbourne. I was doing an assignment the other day and this council was claiming it hasn't had a single house burn down which was caused by a street tree in it's recorded history.

Drouin Tree Service · 16th October 2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apocalypsse

Yep, for all the bushfires in metro Melbourne. I was doing an assignment the other day and this council was claiming it hasn't had a single house burn down which was caused by a street tree in it's recorded history.

For alot more than just the metro area,I cant see all the extra work getting done to code it just cant happen.

Tony Knight · 16th October 2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

For alot more than just the metro area,I cant see all the extra work getting done to code it just cant happen.

If the work required to cut the spans is difficult to complete through volume imagine undergrounding power, pie in the sky stuff.

Regards

Tony

Apocalypsse · 16th October 2011, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a_lopa

For alot more than just the metro area,I cant see all the extra work getting done to code it just cant happen.

The first round of it will be big removal programs then really butcher a lot of trees. Up in my work area there are service wires going straight through the middle of 10m+ Melaleuca's, according to the new laws we gotta turn it into a 3-4m tall valleyed street tree. It's going to take a few years to get things up to code and create new jobs which can't be filled because of the lack of staff going around.

16th October 2010, 10:37 AM	#33
S.O.P Sappling Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Brisbane Posts: 32	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Which Council?

16th October 2010, 02:02 PM	#34
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Several Victoria councils.

16th October 2010, 06:18 PM	#35
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,996	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance One of the other problems with certain trees is that when valleyed out for lines the top side (sunny side up) of the scaffold branches get loads of epicormic shoots and a hedging thing then happens, certain trees like say Leopard trees. __________________ 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

17th August 2011, 07:28 PM	#38
Tony Knight Mature tree Join Date: May 2011 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 312	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Damed if you comply to the law, out of a job if you don't. Regards Tony

18th August 2011, 11:55 AM	#39
Brent Ferris Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,557	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance So why not plant the short trees/shrubs under power lines that top out around 25 to 30 feet, and plant the taller trees away from the lines -- and keep all the residents and power companies working together? There are plenty of species. Isn't there enough work for us in the private areas? __________________ My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports Consulting Forester If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too ! We do great jobs, even in small yards. Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered) Email -- treeshaveneeds@3web.com Cell 416-460-5704

16th October 2011, 05:55 PM	#43
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Going to be a lot more stories like this popping up from Victoria soon. A lot of councils/contractors are on 1 year cycles now to keep everything 1m clear of the wires, no matter how big the branch is.

16th October 2011, 06:17 PM	#44
Drouin Tree Service Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,728	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Theres going to be a LOT more line clearance work in Victoria,new bushfire regulations. __________________ Drouin Tree Services \| Excavator Hire - Drouin and SE Gippsland \| Landclearing Melbourne

16th October 2011, 07:33 PM	#45
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: Supreme court action to stop line clearance Yep, for all the bushfires in metro Melbourne. I was doing an assignment the other day and this council was claiming it hasn't had a single house burn down which was caused by a street tree in it's recorded history.

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