Two Trentham residents have commended Hepburn Shire Council for listening to the community in regards to the trees on Quarry Reserve.
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Two years ago, Trentham residents were informed that 39 trees on Quarry Reserve would be removed.
Wendy Caudle, who lives opposite the reserve, said she was pleased with the way the council officers had extensively consulted with the community and listened to their views.
“The Wednesday before SpudFest this year, I got home to find flags strung up so you couldn’t walk on the path. Stakes were in the ground and it was really quite dangerous. These flags stayed up until last week.”
“I’ve lobbied and lobbied and lobbied to have them removed as it was just a risk mitigation strategy,” Ms Caudle said.
She said the council’s reason for blocking off access to the park was that tree limbs may fall.
“My view is that council is risk adverse. Why dispense of those two years after the risk report? If we are going to take that attitude, why not fence off the Wombat Link too? There are many trees there. It’s strange,” she said.
“My understanding is that the park is on crown land, meaning it is technically owned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning but there is an agreement meaning it is maintained by council.”
Ms Caudle said residents had also formed a committee of management to inform council about issues with the park, like the dangers of the path when it floods.
Helen Macdonald said she is very pleased the council had been so communicative and collaborative.
“Carl has been fantastic. The fact that he has, at every step, wanted to consult with us has been great.
“They even dropped letters off to everybody in town informing them of what was happening and ran consultation sessions in both the morning and the afternoon so everybody who wanted to would have the chance to attend,” she said.
“Their communication has dramatically increased,” Ms Macdonald said.
The amount of trees to now be removed has been amended to between two and five.