Ballan Recreation Reserve committee of management chairman Billy Smith said safety reasons emphasised the need to remove of the aged and dying trees.

“Unfortunately the trees have reached their expected lifespan, with nine of the trees already dead,” Mr Smith said. 

“Further tree deaths are likely in the near future. 

“Falling limbs and branches pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of people using the Ballan Recreation Reserve.

“Processing of the trees and re-use of woodchips onsite will minimise disruption to the neighbourhood which would have been caused by smoke if the tree waste was burned. “

The trees serve as a windbreak to the reserve, while Mr Smith has advised DELWP that it is likely the committee will want some form of future windbreak.