Magazine - Tree Swipe at Heidelberg Golf Club

By Editor in Golf on 5th Oct 2008 6:00

Lower Plenty golf club may have been caught illegally felling mature gum trees.

A horrified neighbour notified Banyule Council when she saw the trees being cut down near the Heidelberg Golf Club’s ninth hole last Thursday morning. Banyule city development director Scott Walker said the council planned to prosecute the club. “In council’s view, the trees were cut down illegally and required planning approval,” he said.

Robyn Stephens, of Lower Plenty, became alarmed when she saw workmen with chainsaws going to work on the trees. “They looked like healthy trees and we’ve seen koalas, large owls and black gang gangs regularly visiting them,” Ms Stephens said.

“We went over and asked what they were doing and they said they had a permit and were cutting down five trees because they were taking water from the greens.” Ms Stephens complained to the council anyway and said she found out the club had not actually received a permit.

A council arborist intervened at the site after two trees had been lopped down. Mr Walker said the council was still investigating why trees were being removed. “An inspection by council officers revealed that two trees were cut down, while a small amount of other native vegetation was observed to have potentially been removed recently,” Mr Walker said.

“The vegetation on the golf course land is protected by various planning controls that require that a planning permit be obtained to remove vegetation that is not otherwise exempt by the planning scheme. “Council will be taking the necessary action in the form of a number of planning infringement notices, with requirements for additional planting and offset management plans.”

The golf club refused to comment.

Read more articles in Golf, by Editor or from October 2008.