A council in Melbourne’s south-east is proposing to ban residents from pruning or cutting down trees in their own yards without a permit in an attempt to increase greenery.
“The local law would support our Urban Forest Strategy and council’s aim to grow Glen Eira’s tree canopy from 12.5 per cent to 22 per cent by 2040.”Dean Hurlston, president of community advocacy group Council Watch, criticised the proposed laws as “bureaucratic nonsense”. “If they’re going to charge for that permit, it’s just gouging,” he said. “But even if they’re not going to charge, it will still cost ratepayers because staff have to process these permits.”
“Particularly with climate change and the summers we have had with more hot weather … this is critical,” she said. This includes the City of Boroondara, which has been grappling with a surge in requests for tree removals as home owners aim to extend their properties, and install pools, decks and car ports.
The maximum fine for illegally removing trees is $3800 under penalties set by the government, but Boroondara has asked for this to be increased to $20,000 to deter illegal felling.