Tecoma’s Anne Elizabeth fears the State Government’s 10/30 plan will lead to the loss of wildlife habitat across the hills. 36809
By Tania Martin
A TECOMA woman is calling for calm over the State Government’s tree and vegetation removal plan – 10/30 Right.
The plan gives landowners the right to clear vegetation including trees within 10 metres of their homes and any ground fuel within 30 metres of their property without a permit.
Anne Elizabeth fears the plan will lead to the loss of wildlife habitat across the hills.
She said the Danenongs were home to two endangered species – the Powerful Owl and the Yellow Belly Glider.
Ms Elizabeth has raised concern over a number of trees in the Glenfern Valley Bushlands Reserve.
She said many hills friends groups were concerned over the loss of habitat sites across the region.
“It (the plan) goes too far,” Ms Elizabeth said.
“It’s not going to guaranteed protection and I know of examples of there being no trees at all and it still burns.”
“Grass fires are more dangerous on the ground, not in the gum trees.”
But Shire of Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn has assured residents that reserves would be safe under the plan.
Cr Dunn said the plan was for private land, not public.
She said council had control over public reserves and it would not be removing any trees.
“It’s council’s responsibility and we won’t be clearing trees for fire protection … we will be doing a whole lot of other things to make it fire safe but removing trees isn’t the way to make it fire safe,” Cr Dunn said.
