By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
A LOCAL man is pleading with Melbourne Water to reconsider its decision to remove trees along Toomuc Creek.
Signage located at the edge of the creek states that Melbourne Water plans to remove non-native trees and weed species to “improve flood protection, habitat, amenity and water quality of Toomuc Creek.”
Ed Kirby is a member of the Cardinia Dog Group, who meets at the Toomuc Creek Dog Park every day on a daily basis.
While Melbourne Water hopes to improve vegetation and habitat along in the area, Ed says removing the trees may have the opposite effect, fearing it may cause the creek bank to collapse.
“It is evident to see today that during the last two floods the creek bank, where the trees had fallen, was severely damaged,” he said.
“Many of the root systems of the trees have been exposed, leading to the collapse of the creek wall.”
He added that removing the trees would have a similar effect and suggested an alternative may be allowing the trees holding the creek bank to die naturally and slowly replace them with native vegetation.
“If removing the trees along the creek bank is going to lead to further erosion of soil and the collapse walls of the creek wall, please rethink what you plan.”
The signage details that the works involve “the removal of extensive non-native species including the Monterey pines (Pinus Radiata), hawthorn, elms and poplars that are scattered throughout the site.”
Melbourne Water Waterways manager in the South East Greg Bain said the decision to remove the trees was made to improve the environment surrounding the creek.
“Melbourne Water is planning to improve habitat, amenity and water quality at Toomuc Creek by removing non-native trees and weed species along the creek and replacing them with 1300 native species.”
Yet Mr Kirby said while good in theory, the plan would fail in practice.
“If you look at the four trees they’ve planted this past winter in the park next to the football oval fence, they didn’t survive. They’re in really bad shape,” he said.
“You’re not going to put any trees in there which will grow.”
The trees were planted by Toomuc Valley Landcare Group earlier this year.
A statement provided by Melbourne Water said the trees would complement the work of Landcare, and encourage birds and other animals to inhabit the creek.
They also advise the public there will be some noise from the use of chainsaws and chippers during the removal, and that pedestrian access may be restricted.
The removals are due to begin in November.
