By Derek Schlennstedt
Parks Victoria has made the decision to remove the three trees blocking access to Bobs Park.
In November, Parks Victoria came under fire from residents who raised concerns that the trees would block the CFA’s ability to respond to a fire.
While District 13, Cardinia Council and Parks Victoria denied the concerns that it would inhibit CFA response, work crews were seen removing the trees on Thursday 5 December.
In late October, the Mail reported on the felling of three trees at Bobs Park and in a statement Parks Victoria said that the trees were felled to “halt damage to park assets, rubbish dumping and anti-social behaviour” and that “in the event of a fire, they stated that the trees could be “removed by a bulldozer”
Then in November, the Mail reported that around 20 residents came together at Bobs Park to raise their concerns with Gembrook member Brad Battin, after he raised the issue in Parliament in late October.
Residents can now rest assured that the trees have been removed, but Brad Battin said many still want to see the park returned to its further glory.
“It’s a win for common sense after the government were forced by the community and the support of the media to take action to remove the trees that would’ve prevented the CFA form gaining access,” Mr Battin said.
“At the end of the day this is the community fighting back to make sure they are safe this summer, but the job’s not finished here. The Government have acknowledged the trees needed to go; now they need to get Parks Victoria to clean up the land and get rid of the fuel on the land.”
