The City of Port Phillip (via private contractor City Wide) is planning to remove one of the largest and last remaining trees in Grey St, situated outside the Sacred Heart elderly peoples' home at 101 Grey St (b/w Robe and Alfred Sts). Council claims the tree is 'diseased', yet it is covered in healthy green leaves and supports native wildlife. Planned destruction is anytime after Thursday 23 July 2009.
This is the latest of numerous mature trees removed and not replaced in the last few years along Grey St (see slideshow), in contravention of Council's stated support for greening of our environment, and CityWide's own values.
Grey St boasts some of St Kilda's finest architectural landmarks that deserve attention by urban planning and streetscaping equal to that afforded other locations. If Council neglects its care for the street, then so will visitors.
If the tree's roots are the real problem, why can't Council install the 'spongie asphalt', as used in the residential end of Acland St?
IF YOU LIVE OR WORK IN OR AROUND GREY ST, PLEASE CONSIDER THESE IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. SIGN THE PETITION
2. SEND A MESSAGE TO PORT PHILLIP COUNCIL MANAGEMENT
Ms Kay Rundle (CPP Chief Executive Officer)
City of Port Phillip eServices - Customer Requests Online
3. SEND A MESSAGE TO THE LOCAL COUNCILLOR (Catani Ward)
Cr Serge Thomann
Phone: 03 9209 6705 (business hours)
4. SEND A MESSAGE TO CITY WIDE
Phone: 03 9261 5000
Fax: 03 9261 5005
Or use their contact form
Posts
Save the tree!
ReplyDeleteStop pulling down the trees - Fitzroy St near the esplanade first outside Sapore's as we couldn't envisage building around the trees -now Grey St - what barren vision are you trying to enforce on St.Kilda? - not what I voted for!
ReplyDeleteStop destroying our suburb!
ReplyDeleteThe destruction of the tree will negatively impact the aesthetics of the street. As an iconic St Kilda street more should be done to protect its history and improve the look of the street.What is the evidence that the tree is diseased?
ReplyDeleteI would like confirmation from Council's aborist and Council as to what the problem is with this particular tree. It would be disappointing to see it chopped down unless it was proven to be genuinely diseased and unsafe. Grey Street benefits greatly from having this lovely big tree overlooking it. It's a reminder of what was, before all the bitumen and cement. Can Council save the tree?
ReplyDeletePlease leave this tree alone and we need to plant more street trees in Grey St.
ReplyDeletewhat's happened to the new Council and its democratic policies?
ReplyDeleteWe must keep this area {and others} as green as possible.This tree is visible through all my front windows giving a natural feel to an often neglected area of St Kilda. More opinions are needed on the health of this old resident of Grey St.
ReplyDeletei think its VERY important to keep the area as green as possible especially considering the environment of the streets in this area!!
ReplyDeleteGrey St needs immediate attention. Trees are constantly removed and never replaced. Its time the council reconsiders its attention to the street.
ReplyDeletelet's keep more long term residents in the neighbourhood including trees and native fauna
ReplyDeleteThis significant tree should not be removed from Grey Street. It's beauty is an irreplaceable element in this busy built environment.
ReplyDeletethis gum tree planted by the council years back has now become a wonderful presence in the the area - when in flower the lorikeets visit by day, the fruit bats by night to sip its nectar. ..........it is not diseased, it can live on in its present spot for many years to come
ReplyDeleteDon't be ridiculous-Keep the tree!
ReplyDeleteDo not cut down these grand old eucalypts.
ReplyDeleteOne of the last remaining mature trees in this area. Look at Fawkner St, about 2 small trees left, council planted trees but without metal tree guards, so drunks have broken and killed every one of them, none have been replaced. The street looks worse than it did before, another waste of rate payers money. Leave the Grey st. tree alone. It's a survivor!
ReplyDeletePlease help maintain our comfort and climate health by retaining this tree.
ReplyDeleteConsider other alternatives that fit into a councils budget......thinking caps guys!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I walk along Grey Street I am awestruck at the sight of this beautiful tree. It should remain for aesthetic reasons and environmental ones as well. There's no need to expand on that, we all know the benefits of trees, but I'd like to include that it's the home of many birds. Surely the tree and it's birds give delight to the residents at the Sacred Heart home, let alone blocking out just dust, noise and heaps of traffic.
ReplyDeleteIn this environmentally sensitive time the removal of such a magnificent tree seems incomprehensible. Grey street needs to keep every tree it has, especially one as significant a this. The city of Port Philip should look at tree removal as a last possible resort. The City of Port Philip has achieved some great results with tree planting in the area, but unfortunately the tree scape of Grey St does little to enhance the significance of this major route through St Kilda.
ReplyDeleteThis tree is right outside my place of work/ the mission and it gives my clients a sense of beauty in nature as they sit in the grey courtyard
ReplyDeleteGrey St needs all the beautification it can get & enviromentally, St Kilda needs all trees it can get!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful tree and the council should do all it can to save it rather than take the easy option of destroying it. Their reasons for doing so sounds very dubious
ReplyDeletePlease don't destroy this beautiful tree which is an important part of Grey St.
ReplyDeleteI was once a resident of the city of Port Phillip and regularly walk up and down Grey street (being a client of the Secret Heart Mission) and was disturb to learn of having a healthy tree being remove. This tree has been there since i was a kid as with many of the trees in this area. Please do not remove this tree or any of the tree along Grey street.
ReplyDeleteI fully support this petition and totally agree with what has been said.
ReplyDeleteThe job of any council is to MAINTAIN and AESTHETICALLY IMPROVE the streetscape.
The streets of St Kilda are enjoyed by many and require MUCH better attention and foresight than is currently give to them.
Before it's too late people must trim down some huge trees for their safety. This is very advisable to do to avoid accidents.
ReplyDelete