Re the article “Tree change concerns” (Leader, March 15).
The last thing the Sutherland Shire wants or needs is open slather on tree removal and that is what will occur if Cr Johns has his way with his proposal to loosen present controls.
Already, many single occupancy blocks that go on sale are approved for double occupancy with the inevitable removal of every scrap of vegetation and before long our green ambience will have disappeared.
The suggestion that each tree will be replaced by two or more was never satisfactory, even when this was supervised by council as, even if they are nurtured, they take years to reach the size of the one they are replacing and there is no follow-up to ensure their continued existence.
In this case, council will not know of the removal and cannot ensure and monitor any replacements.
The restriction on indigenous trees will not work as developers will claim ignorance and, once gone, they will be inadequately replaced, if at all. This is a very bad idea.
S Harvey Langford, Miranda
So, our councillors are nervous about council’s bull-headed bulldozer approach to the tree canopy issue? Well they should be!
For over 20 years now, trees unsuitable for urban areas, like Angophoras, grey gums, silky oaks, blackbutts and the like have been protected from judicious pruning with draconian punishments should anyone dare to take a saw to a protected species.
The result is that now, looming over thousands of homes in the shire, are giants just waiting for the right set of freakish weather conditions to come crashing down on houses and residents.
And haven’t we been experiencing weird weather lately?
To all those people who go “ohh, such beautiful living things, soo gorgeous, protect them at all cost ...”
Just come and live in the shadow of one, in a wild wind storm, and see how lovely you think these trees are, then!.
Greenie