By MELISSA MEEHAN
THE jagged edges of tree stumps were a stark contrast to what was there before as 50 Monterey cypress trees were removed from Emerald’s Worrell Reserve last week.
The Cardinia Shire Council say the trees were removed as a last-ditch safety option if a life or death bushfire disaster strikes this summer – creating a Neighbourhood Safer Place (NSP) in the town.
But a number of residents have blasted the Cardinia Shire Council for “steamrolling ahead” with the tree removal despite it being unpopular with a number of residents.
Many residents congregated at the site on Thursday in shock and distress – some calling the removal of the trees vandalism.
“The destruction of those trees is an appalling waste of our rates,” Samantha Sunderland said.
“I’m very disappointed at council’s lack of engagement regarding this issue,” Non Blair said.
Emerald for Sustainability (EmFSus) Lee Fuller said she was both outraged and saddened that the council had gone ahead with the plan despite pleas from many in the community to stop and revisit community engagement and consultation.
Cardinia mayor Brett Owen said the council had an obligation to protect the community and the trees needed to be removed to do that properly.
“Nobody likes to see trees removed,” Cr Owen said.
“But if we want an NSP in Emerald, we have no other option.”
Cr Owen said Emerald was one of Victoria’s most vunerable communities in terms of bushfire threat and Worrell Reserve was a gathering point for residents during the Black Friday, Ash Wednesday and Black Saturday fires.
“The council has explored several other potential sites and no others met the criteria,” he said.
“Worrell Reserve is close to the town centre, is easy to get in and out of and is a defendable space.
“We hope it’s never needed, but if a fire does strike, people living in Emerald currently do not have options.”
Once the trees and other necessary vegetation is removed and the works are complete, the council will prepare the site as an NSP in time for the upcoming fire season.
The removed trees will be replaced with fire resistant trees and a large number of trees will be planted at Pepi’s land to offset the tree removal at Worrell Reserve.
