Gippsland Portal

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Cooperation Saves Thirty Native Trees

Council and Landowners work together to preserve the environment

By Latrobe City - 23rd April 2002 - Back to News

A cooperative effort between landowners and Latrobe City Council has resulted in the preservation of thirty native trees that might otherwise have been cut down.

Jason and Michelle Quail of Tyers, bought a block of land covered with native bush from Grand Ridge Plantations (formerly APM) and found that the trees had grown on and close to the boundary. Fencing the boundary, which was their right, would have necessitated the removal of the trees, some of which were nearly one metre in diameter.

When approached for a permit to cut down the trees, Council officers first approached Grand Ridge Plantations, which owns the adjoining land which already had a cleared boundary, and suggested a compromise agreement that would preserve the trees.

Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Brendan Jenkins, said that Grand Ridge Plantations accepted the suggestion, and readily agreed to transfer a strip of land and move the boundary two metres to allow a fence to be erected on a new boundary without affecting the trees.

"This win-win-win cooperation has reduced the cost of the fencing for the two owners and saved thirty significant trees for the benefit of the whole community. Both Grand Ridge Plantations and the landowners are to be congratulated on following through with some lateral thinking by our officers, that can only benefit the environment," Cr Jenkins said.

Mr Phil Whiteman, Grand Ridge Plantations District Manager Traralgon, said the agreement reflected an ongoing commitment to better the Latrobe Valley environment. "There are numerous examples of where we are neighbours with conservation reserves run by committees of management, or with private landowners with keen conservation values. In such cases, we are always prepared to work with our neighbours to benefit the overall environment. In this case we believe the agreement we have reached is in everyone’s best interests, so we have been happy to facilitate a minor change to our plantation boundary," Mr Whiteman said.

Mrs Quail said it had been a long and difficult process to get an outcome. "We didn’t want to have the trees removed, but wanted to fence our land to prevent trespassers damaging the bush and to start building our house. It has been great that Grand Ridge Plantations have cooperated in this way," Mrs Quail said.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



Edit this news article




Related Articles

Let Emma add your News

Baw Baw Bass Coast Cardinia East Gippsland Latrobe City South Gippsland Wellington
© 2001-2025 gippsland.com Print this page | Email a friend this page | Subscribe to Newsletter | Feedback / Inquiries | Login
Edit Page | Edit Site | Uploader | Admin : 1.11 sec