One rule for Council and another for us

The Beagle Editor, I was dismayed to discover the loss of the trees on Vesper Street that I have enjoyed walking by for over a decade. The trees might have been a bit scrappy in the eyes of Council but for the microcosm that lived in them it was 'home'. I asked the members of the Sunset Committee about the trees and was told that they would be remaining and would be incorporated into garden beds. I was shown a plan and it had the trees drawn. The words on the plan said 'Existing trees to remain'.

Above: of fourteen trees marked Existing trees to remain only one is now standing

I was told that this was the adopted plan by the councillors and because of that the trees would 'most certainly remain'. On return to Batemans Bay I have now discovered the trees are gone. And not just the trees on the highway but also the trees that once lined the boundary fence of Mackay Park. They have left one single tree out of fourteen standing.

This is another example of Council doing what ever it likes without fear of any consequence. If it were you or I we would be required to jump through hoops and be given an authoritative NO to any request to remove healthy trees. But not Council. I suggest we all write to Council and ask for copies of the Tree Removal applications for these trees. Send your request to council@esc.sw.gov.au James D. Hunter