Fight to save a tree
This is a letter in from Margaret T, a new resident to Ballarat East.
Dear BE Net,
I am writing to you in the hope that you may be interested in intervening to save a tree. This cypress is approx. 90 years old, gives much shade from the western sun, a landmark a historical marker in East Ballarat and home to many native birds.
This story began when being new owners of the above property, my daughter and I wished to have a fence built (April 2012). I will not bore you with all the details except to say it has been a long, stressful and drawn out process (and due processes were always followed by us). We were successful in getting part of the fence built to 3 metres from the tree, but there is still about 40mtrs left with no fence whatsoever.
The owner of next door, could not conceive a fence being built up to and abutting the tree. They want the tree down and we want it maintained, so we thought, as a last resort, we would give the court a go, having little money my daughter represented us and we were reliant on the good will of the justice system.
There was no good will, last Friday in Ballarat Court was one of the worst experiences we have encountered, the owner arrived with solicitor and surveyor and the Magistrate made it very clear that the costs, probably awarded to us, would be around $7000; we are not gamblers – we caved in and the tree is to go without the case even being heard.
We are at a loss that Ballarat Council seems very uninterested in the ambiance and history of East Ballarat, in these days of climate change and the need for sustainable care to the environment, every tree is important to this planet and this one is old and gracious and does not need to be cut down.
Anything, anything at all to be done to save this tree would be a blessing. Thank you for reading thus far, and I do hope you can assist.
Yours sincerely Margaret T
Monday 20th May is the date set by the owners to begin removal of this tree. It may not be as big an issue as large developments muted for the area but it is so important to show the Council that we value such an local icon. This tree is full of birds, flocks stop off and settle there during the day, it creates a micro climate during summer and protects surrounding vegetation during windy weather. A stubbornness to discuss alternatives by the owner has been a hallmark of it’s removal and an unwillingness by the Council to give regard to an exotic of such size. It is a sad indictment that we as a community have no real power or say over something that will diminish the surrounds we all have a right to keep. I have contacted local green organizations, the Council and a newspaper and yet not one has even had the decency to respond. How can we save the area from over-development if we can’t even save one tree?
Luckily we responded John and have given this issue a lot of space here on the website. Hopefully people will respond positively on the day if they believe it important enough.
Injustice at work again.I do hope that BE Net can be of assistance to you.