Holroyd’s extreme tree management orders to face the axe
After SIX HOURS of controversial debate spanning eight weeks of council meetings Liberal Councillor Ross Grove has successfully embarrassed the Labor-Independent majority on Holroyd Council into reviewing council’s Tree Management Orders – some of the most extreme in the state.
“We need to start letting people make their own decisions when it comes to keeping and planting trees on their own property.” Clr Grove said.
“Our rules and red tape when it comes to tree removal are amongst the most extreme in NSW.”
“Leichhardt, Ku-Ring-Gai and the Blue Mountains are all green councils yet each one of them have more flexible approaches than we do.
“Walk down any number of streets in Greystanes and you’ll count very few gum trees under five years old and its because people out there are afraid the council won’t let them do anything about their trees should circumstances change.
“Nobody just wakes up one day and decides at the drop of a hat to cut down all their trees. The forestry industry is not making a comeback to Holroyd and I think you’ll find that all the greeny assertions that ‘some people just hate trees’ are a load of rubbish.
“We need more balance and flexibility to accommodate people’s right to do what they want on their own property. If we can find solutions which help the property owner and the environment we’ll all be better off.
“As part of the minority coalition on council its not easy to get your reforms through. This was by no means an easy win – it took hours of debate across several council meetings.
“There may be councillors who disagree with my views and accuse me of politicising one resident’s tree application by carrying the issue out for weeks on end, but I make no apologies for holding Labor and Independent councillors to account and I plan on doing more of it in the future!”
MEDIA CONTACT: Ross Grove 0412 897 130
