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Henry Street Report Accepted – Contractor AdmonishedA report aired at Latrobe City’s council meeting on Monday night has admonished a contractor for the removal of a tree in Henry Street Traralgon against the council’s wishes. By Latrobe City Council - 8th August 2007 - Back to News Latrobe City’s chief executive officer, Paul Buckley, said the report prepared by the City Infrastructure department was accepted by council after consideration of the issues.
"Following community feedback earlier this year indicating there was considerable community opposition to the proposed removal of pin oak trees in Henry Street, an assurance was given by council that the trees would not be removed before a public meeting due on 26 April 2007 was held to assess the best course of action.
"Unhappily, on 23 April a contractor removed one of the trees subject to the moratorium and commenced the removal of a second before community and council officers intervened to halt any further work being undertaken.
"At the public meeting held on 26 April 2007, I gave a public assurance that an investigation as to how these trees were removed/damaged would be undertaken and a full report provided to council and the wider community," Mr Buckley explained.
"This investigation has now been completed and the report presented at Monday night’s council meeting. The report determined that the contractor was at fault, and the course of actions that followed."
Mr Buckley said the report found that the contractor had been notified by the Latrobe City contract supervisor that no trees in Henry Street were to be removed. It found that the mishap occurred due to the contractor's interpretation of the trees being on the nature strip of a property which although abutting Henry Street, fronts Breed Street.
Mr Buckley said that as a result of the findings, council has penalised the contractor to the full extent allowed under the conditions of the contract. "Despite the grief caused to the public as a result of the error, pursuant to the contract, the incident was not of a nature which warranted the contract’s termination," Mr Buckley explained.
"In light of the findings of the investigation, Latrobe City requested the contractor to replace the tree that was removed with a tree of the same species. The largest specimen recommended to be planted viably was a 3.2 metre high pin oak. This planting has now taken place," Mr Buckley said.
"The contractor has also been required to pay for remedial works on the second tree that was damaged, to ensure its long-term sustainability.
"Supervision of all tree-related contracts by council officers has now been increased. In the instance of this particular contractor, council officers have closely supervised the works of the contractor and are satisfied that all works, subsequent to the removal of the tree in Henry Street, Traralgon, have been in accordance with the contract specifications."
"Following the public meeting, council resolved to retain the Henry Street trees.
"As a result of this particular incident, we have taken steps to ensure mechanisms are in place to eliminate the possibility of a similar event. In addition, at its 2 July 2007 meeting, council endorsed a new consultation protocol in relation to communicating with residents in relation to future tree removal proposals," Mr Buckley added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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