Re the article "Tears follow tree decision" (Leader, July 24).
Thank you to all the people who loved that gum, who approached us and said how sorry they were to see it go.
I went around to see it after being informed that it was being cut down. I shed tears too!
That tree was 50 years old ! It was planted by my late husband and myself! I lived there for 54 years and sold more than three years ago.
An article in the Leader, April 4, 2018, stated that in the six months from August 1, 2017, to February 1, 2018, approval was given for the removal of 2723 trees throughout the shire.
Council have a replacement policy, but it takes years for them to develop to a good shade canopy. They manufacture oxygen, filter pollution, and provide homes for wildlife.
Shirley Murphy
I share Chris B's concern that shire councillors can now overrule staff and order trees to be removed (Your View, July 31).
The old Hurstville Council had the same powers, which was one of the reasons why many of us locals were pleased that it was forced to merge with Kogarah.
Only last February, at Georges River Council (the former Hurstville and Kogarah LGA's) the same matter came up, with some councillors arguing that they should be able to vote on tree removals.
However, councillors saw reason and ruled that only staff arborists should have that authority.
With the shire now swamped with new development, necessitating the loss of trees on an almost daily basis, I would urge shire councillors to take a leaf (pun intended) out of Georges River's Tree Management Policy.
Peter Mahoney, Oatley
