Council dumps anti-green move

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has stood firm on its green credentials, despite a division in councillor ranks.
Councillors traded insults at an ordinary meeting last Tuesday (9 September) over an application to remove 1200 trees.
The application called for a proposed planning amendment change to land at the Chirnside Park Country Club, 68 Kingswood Drive.
It also called for a 450-lot sub-division, which nearby residents said would have a detrimental impact on the local environment.
More than 400 people at the meeting called for the amendment to be dumped.
They said the sub-division would affect the local habitat, environment, and neighbourhood character.
The application also called for the removal of 1248 trees.
The trees were the sticky point for this sub-division with the council dumping the application on environmental grounds.
Lyster Ward Samantha Dunn said the council could not in good conscience approve a move that would see the removal of trees.
“We are proud to call ourselves environment leaders, a green council… how can we wear these badges with pride when we seek to have 1248 trees removes,” she said.
Cr Dunn said not only would this application significantly impact on the environment, but the residents had spoken loud and clear with 962 people saying no to this proposal by way of submissions.
“This application flies in the face of all that we represent as environmental stewards,” she said.
Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said the removal of 1200 trees from anywhere was a nightmare waiting to happen.
He said when the Federal Government was continuing to underestimate the need to combat green house gas emissions, it was the council’s responsibility to act as environmental stewards.
“Each tree contains thousands and thousands of tonnes of Co2 … we need to save trees not chop them down,” Cr Cliff said.
However Chirnside Ward Councillor Ken Smith said the next logical step for the application was to be sent to an independent panel.
Cr Smith even accused his fellow councillors of wearing rose tinted glasses where the application was concerned.
He said he was disappointed in his fellow councillors for bringing the application down to simply the issue of removing trees.
However, Cr Dunn interjected calling a point of order.
“Point of Order Mr Mayor … the colour of the councillor’s glasses is not up for debate,” she said.
In a five to four split, the council voted to dump the amendment.