IT IS my belief that the current Port Stephens Council Development Control Plan (DCP) of Tree Management allows residents to remove unsafe trees without approval.
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The proposed amendment for a 12-month moratorium on pre-approval for tree removal I believe will open up this DCP to abuse by residents wishing to remove trees for amenity value under the guise of safety as has been the case with the 10/50 vegetation clearing scheme for bushfire protection.
Also with the limited number of reputable professional tree loppers available and the vast number of jobs the cost of having a tree removed has already gone up.
This will have the effect of pricing out lower income households that have genuine unsafe trees.
No one is suggesting there will be wholesale tree removal but the removal of unnecessary trees makes the remaining ones more vulnerable to future storms.
Residents should take the opportunity to make submissions to the Port Stephens Council Development Control Plan (DCP) of Tree Management amendment regarding the 12-month moratorium on pre-approval for tree removal when the opportunity is available.
Les Pinney
Lemon Tree Passage
