By MELISSA MEEHAN
A MESS was left behind after recent fire break works in Olinda.
Residents said they were devastated to find damaged trees and stumps following the works at the head of the Olinda Creek.
John Faull said he was concerned that contractors had been careless during the works.
He said chemicals and rubbish had also been left behind.
“The waste water will go down the easement and then disperse off into trees,” he said.
“Some trees have already died.”
Mr Faull said he had seen contractors chop the tops of trees. Tree ferns were smashed, and other plants damaged.
“I’ve desperately tried to find out who was in control of this fire break, but all departments said they had no knowledge of the works,” Mr Faull said.
“It’s deplorable to be honest, to leave the area in such a mess is devastating for us.”
In response to community concerns regarding several potentially unsafe trees in and adjacent to an existing fuel break, DEPI staff carried out at an assessment of the area.
“Three trees were found to be rotting inside and to manage the risk they posed to nearby properties and people walking by, DEPI engaged a contractor to cut them down,” a DEPI spokesperson said.
“A fourth tree was also pruned.”
The spokesperson said a contractor would be visiting the site again this week to clear any branches that ended up in a nearby creek during the tree removal process.
“These works were undertaken as part of DEPI’s Public Safety on Public Land program,” they said.
