By DANIELLE GALVIN
FIFTY Monterey cypress trees will be removed at the Worrell Reserve in Emerald to ensure the site is fire ready.
Following a six-week community consultation period, Cardinia Shire Council has designated the Cockatoo Indoor Sports Complex and Emerald ground as neighbourhood safer places or places of last resort.
The council’s Community, Risk and Emergency manager Myles O’Reilly said new trees would be planted in place of the cypresses, which have been at the reserve for 80 years. He said the cypresses generated too much radiant heat and needed to be removed.
“In terms of meeting the criteria, this is the only for a place of last resort for Emerald,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly said Pepi’s Land was unsuitable as a place of last resort in the event of a bushfire in the hills.
The council determined it had no choice but to remove the trees following a recent arborist assessment. The report strongly recommended their removal due to their significant structural defects including decay around the base of the trees and the dropping of major branches.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen said the report showed the trees at Worrell Reserve posed a real risk to pedestrians and vehicles.
“Council recognises the environmental importance of having vegetation at Worrell Reserve,” he said.
“For this reason, we are asking the community to provide feedback on their preferred choice of two types of fire-resistant, replacement trees.
“Council hopes many residents will have their say on this important issue.”
Worrell Reserve committee president Winston Gatt said it was a “no-brainer” that the site was to be listed as the place of last resort for the town.
He said the cypress trees were full of oil and were a fire hazard.
“Heaven forbid, we ever have to use the site if there is a bushfire, but it is walking distance for many,” he said.
Mr Gatt said the trees were planted as a wind break when the reserve was a farm.
“I’ve lived through and seen fires – until you’ve seen it you don’t know what to expect,” he said.
“Those cypress trees alight is a sight I never want to see.
“But this is a good thing for the town.”
Residents have from Thursday 1 August until Friday 27 September to submit their choice of tree. One is an Indigenous species and the other is an exotic.
The community is invited to complete the survey on the ‘Have your say’ web page of the council’s website. Suggestions on how the removed trees might be used can also be emailed to fire@cardinia.vic.gov.auFelling trees fir fire safety
