FOR the next 12 months Port Stephens residents are free to remove trees they deem to pose a safety risk - without the need for Port Stephens Council approval.
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Port councillors at the May 26 meeting voted to impose a 12-month moratorium on the need for property owners to seek approval to remove dangerous trees.
Councillors voted 6-1 [John Nell the lone dissenter, three absent] to push ahead with Cr Bruce MacKenzie's mayoral minute despite criticisms from conservation groups.
The decision effectively amends the council's Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and allows residents to remove trees from their property which they consider to be a risk to human life or property.
"I acknowledge the views of groups such as EcoNetwork ... but I make no apology about a decision which will allow Port residents to sleep at night in safety," Mayor MacKenzie said.
"The recent storm event has left many people living in fear. Wherever I go I get accosted by people saying they are scared that another storm could cause trees on their property to fall onto their homes."
Cr Paul Le Mottee threw his support behind the proposal, saying he did not believe residents would chop down trees for commercial gain or to enhance their views.
"The policy has limitations ... trees must be a risk to human life or property and [the moratorium] is only for 12 months," Cr Le Mottee said.
"There is also the issue of cost, we are talking about $1500 and upwards for professional treeloppers."
Cr Nell, however, expressed concern that some people would interpret the policy as a licence to clear trees at will.
"I also question the merits of having huge, overhanging trees in suburbia, but I cannot support a motion which gives residents free reign to knock over trees [without council consent]."
Port Stephens Greens spokesperson Rochelle Flood said that existing policies already allowed for removal of trees without prior approval where there was an imminent risk.
"We are already seeing a backlash against relaxation of tree preservation controls," said Ms Flood.
"The State Government's 10/50 clearance policy introduced last year has been widely abused ... the moratorium is both unnecessary and contrary to the public interest."
Councillors also agreed to allocate $100,000 to remove dangerous and/or inappropriate trees from council roads and reserves, and to review council's street tree guidelines.
