Council ‘pruning’ or hack jobs leaving nature strips denuded?
The sound of chainsaws is never a good way to start the day. I was shocked to witness aggressive pruning of native flowering bottle brush trees by contractors in Newport — not just unsightly damage, but an assault on our community’s environmental resilience. According to Australian Standard AS 4373-2007, only 15–20% of a tree’s foliage should be removed during pruning, yet contractors removed substantially more. Even more concerning, this work occurred while the trees were in bloom, violating established practices.
When neighbours and I questioned Active Tree Services contractors, we faced dismissive attitudes and unprofessional conduct. Complaints were filed with Hobsons Bay Council, and an urgent call was made to Mayor Daria Kellander. She listened with empathy and escalated the issue. But a week later, contractors were still turning trees into skeletons.
Hobsons Bay struggles with some of Victoria’s worst air quality due to industrial proximity and transportation corridors. While I applaud Council’s tree planting efforts, our mature trees need protection. They are the lungs of our planet. They sequester carbon, provide habitat, and cool our streets. By absorbing harmful air pollutants through their leaves, trees protect residents from respiratory problems.
If you see inappropriate tree pruning, ask questions, take photos, and let Council know. As rising temperatures prolong summer-like weather, now is the time for Council to review pruning schedules and standards, contractor oversight, customer codes of conduct and consequences for non-compliance.
We need our urban forest — trees are essential for community well-being.
Dr Liz Cyarto – Wellbeing Expert
They ‘green’ paradise and put up a parking lot?
I am writing to share an ongoing issue in Footscray that I believe may be of interest to your readers, particularly those concerned with environmental protection, planning transparency, and community voice.
A riverside green space adjacent to the Heavenly Queen Temple at 20 Joseph Road is currently being used as an informal car park, despite being designated as lawn in the endorsed council plans. The site sits on a floodplain and is part of the Maribyrnong River green corridor, an area flagged by the Maribyrnong Council’s own Open Space Strategy and Climate Emergency Action Plan as environmentally sensitive and in need of protection.
I have lodged a formal complaint to Council on behalf of the Joseph Road Precinct Action Group, citing planning non-compliance and the degradation of the area. However, Council’s response has so far been vague, with no clear commitment to enforcing the endorsed land use or restoring the site. The lack of action has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in local planning decisions, particularly given this area’s flood history and importance to public amenity.
Adriana Mendieta
Greg! The stop sign!
Not sure what others think but Vic Roads needs to change the signage when you’re entering Princes Highway southbound from Gordon St. At the moment it’s a Give Way sign but no one ever gives way to traffic on Princes Highway. They seem to think that Give Way means Merge and they just drive into oncoming traffic expecting them to give way. It really needs a STOP sign. Thank You.
Greg Simpson Footscray
