Poplars saved

By Melissa Donchi
THE controversial application for the removal of seven poplar trees along Badger Creek Road has been withdrawn by the Shire of Yarra Ranges in what is a victory for the recently formed Save the Poplars Group.
The application was withdrawn after a number of consultative meetings between the shire, Save the Poplars (STP) and Healesville Environment Watch Inc (HEWI), which supported the shire’s application.
Last week a compromise seemed unlikely with almost 60 objections lodged with the shire and neither side willing to budge on the issue.
But a last minute meeting with councillor Jeanette McCrae last Tuesday produced agreement that will see the trees remain. While it’s being touted as a compromise solution, some STP members believe community consultation came too late in the day.
“I think they should have consulted with the community before they engaged a tree taskforce and initiated a planning application,” STP member Barbara Flynn said.
“I think they knew they were outnumbered and just wanted the issue to go away.”
However, STP member John Anwin described the outcome as an overall success.
“It’s unfortunate that it was made so complicated and caused people to pick sides, because, really, we all want the best for the trees,” he said.
Cr McCrae agreed that people were looking out for the best interests of the environment.
“While it was evident that many people had very strong views about whether or not to remove the poplars, one thing they shared in common was their passion about the environment,” Cr McCrae said.
“It is my hope that this passion will continue to thrive and that more and more people will choose to play a constructive role in protecting, preserving and enhancing our special Healesville environment.”
Cr McCrae said that while the shire planning application united members of the community to act on environmental issues, there was no winners or losers in the outcome.
HEWI spokeswoman Maureen Bond declined to comment on the decision.
Shire spokesman James Martin said the shire was always willing to consult with the community and that it was not uncommon for planning applications to be withdrawn.
“Applicants always have the option of withdrawing an application and the shire has previously withdrawn applications for tree removal,” Mr Martin said.
“Most commonly these relate to road construction projects where it has been decided to slightly alter the design of the road to reduce vegetation loss.”
Mr Martin said the shire had instigated the application as part of its larger working plan for the Queens Park area which involved revegetation works.