Shire axes planning bid to cut down trees

By Tania Martin
FEARS over the degradation of Menzies Creek have led to the refusal of a planning application.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges recently agreed that the risk to the creek was too great.
At a meeting on Tuesday, 11 March, the council refused an application for a single-storey dwelling at 141 Emerald-Monbulk Road, Emerald.
This comes after seven objections, including a 100-signature petition, were received from concerned local residents. The proposal was for the removal of nine trees to accommodate a four-bedroom family home.
However, the land slopes down towards Menzies Creek and the council was concerned that building a dwelling on the site would have a serious environmental impact.
Objector Craig Marriot said the site was the home to many threatened species such as the yellow-bellied glider and powerful owl and feared that removing the trees would have a significant impact on habitat.
Mr Marriot said nearby residents also feared the proposed development would have an impact on valuable flora and fauna in the area.
However, Lucia Usatov, speaking on behalf of her parents, said they only wanted to build there because it’s such a beautiful place.
Ms Usatov said her parents had always planned to build at the site and that they didn’t want to cause any detrimental impact on the environment.
“They hope to make the least amount of problems for the area,’ she told the meeting.
Ms Usatov said her parents had many negotiations with the council and had agreed to replant trees.
However, Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said she was concerned that building a house so near a creek ( within 100 metres) would have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Cr McRae also said that under the council’s vision 2020 policy, new homes needed to be designed to keep established vegetation.