Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Baw Baw Local News

Elm trees along Queens Street in Warragul with deteriorating health to be replaced in interest of public safety

To address the risk to public safety, four mature Dutch Elm trees with deteriorating health and the semi-mature Golden Elm tree located in Queen Street in Warragul are to be removed and replaced.

By news@gippsland - 15th August 2022 - Back to News

The decision comes after council engaged an independent arborist to assess the health and condition of the Elm trees along the south side of Queen Street. A detailed assessment undertaken in March 2021 showed significant deterioration of two of the mature Dutch Elm trees, with necessary works actioned in May 2021.

The tree removals will occur on Sunday 28 August 2022, with a temporary closure of Queen Street's west-bound south lane for the duration of the works

Chinese Elms as replacement

A further detailed assessment was recently completed. This revealed the structural integrity of the two trees has significantly declined over the last twelve months, while the two other mature Dutch Elms are showing similar signs of inevitable deterioration. Given the decline of the trees in a high use public area, they have been deemed an unacceptable risk to the community.

In the interest of public safety, and to preserve the visual continuity of the streetscape, the four deteriorating Elms and the semi-mature Golden Elm will be removed and replaced with harder Chinese Elms. Chinese Elms have been selected as the replacement species as they are more tolerant of the streetscape conditions, compared with the Golden Elm and Dutch Elm species.

Chinese Elms are also not susceptible to Elm Leaf Beetle, unlike the Golden and Dutch Elm species, which require a chemical treatment every two to three years. The five replacement Chinese Elms will be planted as part of council's 2022/23 street tree planting program.

Informing road users

Council understands considerable value is placed on these mature Elm trees by our community. Prior to the works, council held an information session with several key stakeholders, including Warragul Residents and Ratepayers Association and Friends of Trees groups (Drouin and Warragul) to communicate the arborists assessment relating to the health and safety of the trees, the recommendation to remove them, and council's detailed plans to replace the trees.

Businesses along Queen St have also been informed through written communication delivered Monday 15 August. Council has installed temporary signage on Queen Street to inform pedestrians and traffic of the road closure and the details surrounding the tree's removal.

For more information, please contact Baw Baw Shire Council on 5624 2411 or email council.depot@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au.

Ensuring public safety

Mayor Cr Michael Leaney said, "While we understand that many members of our community will be sad to see these old trees go, the bottom line is that it is a matter of public safety."

"There is a real risk that one of these trees could fail. Their replacement is a sensible measure that needs to be taken to avoid the potentially severe consequences should one of the trees fall or drop a limb within this heavy use public area." Cr Leaney said.

Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Gippsland Water invests $550,000 to upgrade Peterkin Street sewer pump station, ensuring reliable wastewater services for Traralgon
  Gippsland Water is investing $550,000 to upgrade Traralgon largest sewer pump station, replacing ageing pipes to ensure reliable wastewater services for 5,200 households. Works are underway and due for completion in September.
• Victorian Health Department sets Gippsland priorities, access, workforce, safety, shared services, and mental health expansion
  The Victorian Department of Health has set four Gippsland health priorities: access, workforce, safety, and shared services, while highlighting mental health needs and significant workforce investment at Warragul's regional health leaders' forum.
• Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior honoured for Warragul Station Park artwork celebrating culture, community and family legacy
  Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior's cockatoo design now features in Warragul Station Park, honouring Kurnai and Gunditjmara heritage, community ties, and his family legacy alongside uncle Lionel Rose's iconic statue.
• Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
  Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care.
• Danny O'Brien warns Labor is risking beachgoers safety by forcing councils, ratepayers to cover LSV funding shortfalls
  Danny O'Brien warns the Allan Labor government is forcing Gippsland councils and ratepayers to cover Life Saving Victoria shortfalls, risking reduced lifeguard patrols despite billions in new emergency services taxes.
• Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists.
• Baw Baw Shire Council secures funding for four key road safety projects through TAC and federal Blackspot Programs
  Baw Baw Shire Council secured TAC and Federal Blackspot funding for four key road safety projects in Warragul and Drouin, targeting high-risk areas with upgrades to improve safety for all road users.
• Princes Highway $2M upgrade improves safety and access for pedestrians at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna
  Nearly $2 million in joint government funding will upgrade Princes Highway at Lakes Entrance and Kalimna, improving pedestrian safety, access, and traffic flow with new medians, lighting, safety platforms, and path reconstruction.
• East Gippsland Shire backs $15M Bairnsdale Airport upgrade to boost emergency response and healthcare services regionally
  East Gippsland Shire Council has backed a $15 million Bairnsdale Airport upgrade, extending the runway to boost emergency response, healthcare services, and regional aviation, supported by government funding and health agencies.
• Melina Bath urges parents, carers, and educators to provide submissions to improve child safety by 30 November 2025
  Victoria's Child Safety Inquiry calls for public submissions to investigate early childhood education failures, restore family confidence, and recommend reforms ensuring children receive safe, high-quality care and protection.
• Labor government delivers $2.73M Sale Hospital upgrade, modernising Community Services building for Gippsland healthcare staff
  The Allan Labor government is delivering a $2.73 million upgrade to Sale Hospital's historic Community Services Building, modernising facilities for healthcare workers, patients, and students through the Regional Health Infrastructure Fund.
• Bass Coast Shire Council delivers new shared path linking Cowes and Ventnor, boosting transport safety and community connectivity
  Bass Coast Shire Council will deliver a new 2km Ventnor Road Shared Path, linking Cowes and Ventnor, improving safety, accessibility, and community connectivity. The $1.96m project is jointly funded with the Australian government.