The following letters to the editor were sent in reaction to this story about council approving the removal of a 150-year-old gum tree on Webster Street.
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A tragedy for council officers endeavouring to do their job well.
The owners have slowly removed trees for various reasons and replaced buildings and now the ultimate removal.
It has to be asked why did this owner move into a heritage area with so many mature trees, why was there no protection for the environmental and cultural heritage listed in the overlay respected?
There are many questions here and the vote to remove this tree sets a new low in council decisions and one wonders why they actually want to put the iron fence back when everything behind the fence to connect to the fence has been removed.
Only the street itself now has a connection to the original fence.
That the tree is 150 yrs old is no excuse to remove it if the council officer has not found it unsound.
This is plain common sense.
Judith Bailey, Clarendon
Old trees in Ballarat must be surely shaking in their roots following Councillor Hudson's assertion that "with the tree eventually dying while the fence could stand for another 100 years alongside a new tree planting."
I would suggest that the Marri tree could well outlast the new fence if given the opportunity.
Anne Scott, Buninyong
Trees are important to keep our city not only liveable but also pleasant to live in.
It seems the council views trees as a hindrance rather than an asset.
I disagree and so does science.
Remember the Lorax.
Michael Weadon, Lake Wendouree
Whenever will we learn to live with Mother Nature instead of against her?
George Pompe, Mount Helen.
