By Mikayla van Loon
AusNet Services has had to issue an apology to the Mount Evelyn community after a tree was severely trimmed on Tuesday 1 February at Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve.
Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPA) president Clare Worsnop was distressed when she heard the sounds of chainsaws and said the 20-year-old eucalypt was an important part of the habitat for animals.
“They’re habitat trees, they are very important,” she said.
During the bushfire season, AusNet has the ability to trim branches and limbs of trees if they are deemed unsafe or could cause damage to the powerlines.
In a statement issued by AusNet, the company apologised for the works carried out at the reserve.
“Our instructions for this tree were to reduce the height following recent storm damage. Sadly on this occasion the tree has been cut back further than intended and we are truly sorry,” the statement said.
Ms Worsnop said this was not the first time AusNet has cut or trimmed trees that have been ideal habitat for endangered species in Mount Evelyn and she would like to see this work prevented in the future.
“It’s a bigger problem not just here but everywhere that they can come in and cut down trees wherever they want,” she said.
Yarra Ranges Council had not been alerted to the works by AusNet and was contacted by MEEPA about the condition of the tree.
“The works, to ensure risks around powerlines are managed, were significant and left the tree with only the trunk and a few nesting branches. It is unlikely the tree will continue to grow,” Director of Environment and Infrastructure, Mark Varmalis said.
“We’ve contacted AusNet with MEEPPA to discuss whether pruning of a second tree can be reduced, to balance the wellbeing of the tree with risks to powerlines.”
AusNet said it has reached out to the council to discuss how its processes will change to avoid a similar situation in the future.
“We have always worked closely with the Yarra Ranges Council to discuss our vegetation management because we understand the important role trees play as a habitat for local wildlife in the area,” the AusNet statement said.
To repay the damage, AusNet said it would support animal habitat and the conservation efforts of MEEPA in the recreation reserve.
“To demonstrate our continued commitment to the community, we will work with MEEPA, using our cherry pickers and crews to place nesting boxes in trees for the yellow bellied gliders.
“We will also place cameras in tree tops to assist MEEPA with their wildlife studies of the powerful owl population in the area. MEEPA have kindly offered to share maps of endangered species in the area which we will incorporate into our vegetation management practices.”
