​Dear BSFG Members and Supporters,
 
On behalf of Benalla Sustainable Future Group, I would like to invite you to attend a presentation by Dr Greg Moore entitled “Trees are major assets as the climate changes”, at 7pm on Wednesday 22nd February, at the Benalla Uniting Church in Carrier St.
 
Dr Moore is a regular presenter on Melbourne radio stations ABC 774 and 3AW on all things arboricultural. He was Principal of Burnley Horticultural College from 1988 to 2007, and has served on a number of important environmental Boards, such as Trust For Nature and Greening Australia, as a member and Chair over many years. I have attached a more detailed outline of his many significant contributions to environmental work for your information. Much of Dr Moore’s work has been involved with arboriculture, particularly in the areas of streetscape and landscape design, and you will see from the title of his presentation, his research work over many years has determined just how important trees are in our landscapes.
 
We look forward to seeing you at this important talk by Greg, and to engage in a conversation around current and future plans with regard to retaining and establishing treed areas in your urban landscape.
 
BSFG has established a free Trybooking link for you to RSVP to this invitation. It is  https://www.trybooking.com/CFIRD
 
Yours sincerely
 
Peter Holmes (President – BSFG)
email:  bsfginc@gmail.com
Phone: 0438625638

Download Event Flyer

BENALLA RURAL CITY
 

1 Bridge Street East Benalla 3672
 
Submission on Planning

13 November 2022
 
Permit No. PO 148/22

Removal of Tree 13 Bridge Street East Benalla 3672
 
I commend the Council for its report on the above mentioned tree by Enspec PTY
 
My concerns for the removal of this tree include

• It is Councils obligation to protect the residents from the predicted rise in deadly heatwaves
• Forecasts of a sharp rise in deaths due to heatwaves, show street trees can reduce temperatures by as much as 10 deg.
• The trees planted in Bridge Street some 23 years ago were undertaken as a long term solution to this problem, to start removing them as they reach a size of usefulness to combat climate change is to defeat the original plans for Benalla.
• The species of tree i.e. Platinus Orientalis was carefully chosen after consultation with Mr. Kevin Heinz, expert in managing tree planting in suburban areas.
• The tree forms part of a well designed avenue its removal would not be in any way advantageous to the general landscape of the town, in fact its removal will be apparent for many years as a mistaken step by the Council.

Is this stated Policy of Council and was it part of the original streetscape development process, or simply a convenient fall-back position now rather than a well thought through and deliberate strategy in which the community was consulted and involved.
 
Is it known to the community that that the trees will be progressively replaced? Surely the original species selection was done in expectation of the tree’s permanence? Was there consultation and is this an agreed outcome? Is this approach generally adopted by Councils or simply a Benalla-centric practice?
 
Planting new trees will not help this situation for many years, how fortunate the citizens of this town are that a previous Council had the foresight to plan for the future; the removal of this tree would undermine the forward thinking of that enlightened council.
 
I refer to the Consultants report on the need to remove this tree and ask the Council to engage an expert on the use of root barriers as has been carried out on numerous sites around Melbourne on much larger trees.

Executive Summary - page 10 of report
 
The results of the executive summary undertaken by Enspec Environment conclude that:-
 
Damage to the front of the 13 Bridge Street West East, in the vicinity of the gas meter, is likely to be due to the influence of roots from the council tree. No significant roots were identified elsewhere along the frontage of the properties adjacent test area.
 
Pruning of the identified roots, or other root management options could be undertaken to resolve the issue.
 
I therefore request the Council to review their application to remove this tree.
 
Susan Campbell O.A M.
Landscape Architect .A.I.L.A.
(address provided)
 
13 November 2022