Sometimes big old trees get sick and die.
You have meanwhile learnt a valuable lesson. Don't ask permission!
I'm very cranky today. I had the council tree inspector come round because I wanted to remove a golden cypress at the front. It's a big freaking tree and stops all the light coming in to the house and the front area never dries properly after it has rained because of this tree.
Now, I'm an avid gardener and with this space I could grow all my own fruit and veggies year round. I would not have to buy a thing. BUT because the tree blends in to the natural street scape I can't remove it. I can crown lift the bottom of it, so take 3 meters off but that won't do anything with a tree like this.
I'm so angry that in todays climate a non native tree can't be removed when it would provide relief for the environment because I can grow all my own produce and still plant other native trees but just in a slightly altered area. All because the tree blends in with the street scape.
I don't know about the appeals process yet but if it doesn't cost to much and is not overly biased to the council I will be doing it. Has any one ever dealt with such appeals before?
Xav
Sometimes big old trees get sick and die.
You have meanwhile learnt a valuable lesson. Don't ask permission!
URSUSMAJOR
Funny isn't it. My last house was in Ippy council and when I once rang to ask permission to prune some BIG Iron barks I was told there was actually no VPO on the area whatsoever and that I could decimate anything I liked (and was actually encouraged to chop the tree than try to save it by only pruning).
Now I'm building within BCC and it's a whole new world, I've had to clear some trees for a building envelope but every one of them is accounted for and MUST be replaced with natives including in my case 5 spotted gums.
And yet there is lantana growing at the front of the property across from mine and no one seems to care! There's buds all over the ground on my block but I don't have a snowball's chance of eradicating it because there's a plentiful supply of seeds 200m away.
Exactly what I was thinking
It's absurd. People THINK they own their land, but think again, because you can't do diddly squat without the government's permission. Bureaucratic rubbish, makes me soooo angry! You pay so much money for a property, not to mention the stamp duty, etc, etc, you'd think you could do what you damn well please.
BMCC is a bit odd.
When I put in a request to cut down a couple of trees they approved it no problem.
They sent me a letter offering to plant cherry trees on the nature strip, and put in more when I called back and talked keen.
They send me a letter every year telling me to remove the English/Scotch Broom, classed as a noxious weed - a plant that is sold in my local nursery in Annandale as a garden plant.
I thought that they used to allow unrestricted cutting down of Cypress Pines, since they were also categorised as a bush fire risk by BMCC.
Go figure.
Cheers
Simon
At least I don't feel alone and people agree then.
You know, it is not even about owning the land and being allowed to change it. I don't want to upset the street by removing the tree but I have spoken to all my neighbours and others in the street and they think it would be a good idea. My neighbours want it gone for extra light also.
I can only get rid of radiata without approval, you just need to notify them.
I was told if I apply for the January period the normal inspector is always on holidays and that the inspector who is just chucked int he job for the 4 weeks will approve everything. So, this is on the books but.... I wanted the buggers gone.
Xav
Is it in your yard, or on the footpath. In any event send them a formal letter advising you will be holding them legally responsible for any future damage that may occur to your home as a result of tree roots under the footings and/or soil shrinkage as a result of the roots drying out the soil.
I'll bet my fender wheel nuts they back down pronto ...
Edit 1: As a rule of thumb, trees should not be allowed within 1.5*mature height from the footings.
Edit 2: Get your local friendly consulting structural engineer to write a letter advising the tree poses a threat to your dwelling ... providing the above applies, and include it with your missive ...![]()
Last edited by Rosco; 13th June 2008 at 01:08 PM. Reason: Additional info
25mm auger+syringe+round up=
As stated, its to late to ask for permission, if the tree was already cut down![]()
I wish they would Rosco. But these councils will then require engineering reports etc.. payed by me and we are talking a few grand. To have the tree removed it is up near the 3 grand mark already.
It is well within my land.
Xav
Some people have copped HUGE fines because of this. Ignorance is no excuse.
Xavie - councils won't see it your way (garden = tree). Maybe submit a revised proposal to remove the tree and plant native trees/shrubs instead. You can put in lower growing ones or ones that will still let light through. That way you can argue that the streetscape will be improved.
To be honest, I can see some sense in the tree removal laws (sometimes). There are plenty of developers who used to go through and bulldoze everything, then plant a few trees later.
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