Everybody has to start with a new post, so here is mine. Unfortunately it’s a moan. 
I live both in Sydney and Brisbane. I was raised in Brisbane. I am of Russian origin. My grandparents first came to Brisbane and settled in Mitchelton. They planted a mango tree on the footpath as soon as they arrived here around sixty years ago. It has survived up until last week.
I couldn’t believe it when it was cut down without warning. I tried to find out on what authority and why.
Trying to get information was a job in itself. This is what I have found out.
It is now a policy agreed to between Brisbane City Council and Energex to gradually cut down ALL trees under power-lines and replace them with shrubs. Saves money on up-keep. However they are supposed to follow a legal process.
In theory the contractor who is doing all the chopping down is supposed to inform people in the street by mail drops that a tree is being cut down, allowing people to voice objections. Guess what… I have contacted numerous people in the street and nobody ever received a mail drop. My sister still lives in the street around three houses down and she definitely did not receive any notice.
Driving around the suburb I’ve noticed that lots of other trees have also been destroyed. Anyone out there aware of people being given notice of this plan to get rid of all the trees? Both Brisbane City Council and Energex representatives have basically told me to get stuffed when I voiced my complaint.
This particular tree was no danger to the power-lines, wasn’t going to grow any further, was a historical part of the suburb plus useful for shade, for animals and birds and if nothing else aesthetically pleasing. It's too late for this tree, but I'm hoping that others might be saved. I think deceit and untruths is being demonstrated by Councils, Energex, contractors or a combination of all the parties involved.
I don’t intend to let this matter just disappear without some persistence. These petty bureaucrats get away with murder and seem to think they’re untouchable. We shall see.
I live both in Sydney and Brisbane. I was raised in Brisbane. I am of Russian origin. My grandparents first came to Brisbane and settled in Mitchelton. They planted a mango tree on the footpath as soon as they arrived here around sixty years ago. It has survived up until last week.
I couldn’t believe it when it was cut down without warning. I tried to find out on what authority and why.
Trying to get information was a job in itself. This is what I have found out.It is now a policy agreed to between Brisbane City Council and Energex to gradually cut down ALL trees under power-lines and replace them with shrubs. Saves money on up-keep. However they are supposed to follow a legal process.
In theory the contractor who is doing all the chopping down is supposed to inform people in the street by mail drops that a tree is being cut down, allowing people to voice objections. Guess what… I have contacted numerous people in the street and nobody ever received a mail drop. My sister still lives in the street around three houses down and she definitely did not receive any notice.
Driving around the suburb I’ve noticed that lots of other trees have also been destroyed. Anyone out there aware of people being given notice of this plan to get rid of all the trees? Both Brisbane City Council and Energex representatives have basically told me to get stuffed when I voiced my complaint.
This particular tree was no danger to the power-lines, wasn’t going to grow any further, was a historical part of the suburb plus useful for shade, for animals and birds and if nothing else aesthetically pleasing. It's too late for this tree, but I'm hoping that others might be saved. I think deceit and untruths is being demonstrated by Councils, Energex, contractors or a combination of all the parties involved.
I don’t intend to let this matter just disappear without some persistence. These petty bureaucrats get away with murder and seem to think they’re untouchable. We shall see.