There has been recent publicity concerning the (over) zealous tree lopping that is occurring on both private and public land in Glen Eira. McKinnon Reserve was the latest casualty with 178 trees literally going down in one fell swoop. The argument of course was ‘safety’. We can only marvel at Mother Nature and how she engineers the fact that ALL 178 trees suddenly colluded to present as a danger to the community. This of course begs the question of why, if the above is true, were these trees allowed to even reach the stage where they might be a hazard. Has council perhaps heard of regular pruning to remove dead branches, and heavy bearing limbs?
We thought it might be of interest to residents to view the results of Council’s ‘butchery’. Below are our BEFORE and AFTER pics.
Glen Eira Debates 
December 19, 2011 at 11:31 PM
This would be the oldest trick in Burke’s book of cons, the four D’s.
Deceive, Devalue, Degrade and Destroy. They are all there in full.
The trees that have replaced the destroyed, are a weed, that only adds another D to the tally, which is Disappoint.
Weather this is an improvement or not, and I think ultimately it could have been, if the choice of replacement tree had not been D for Disappoint.
Trees are not a high priority in Newton land, too few councillors see the point in trees as well, although residents value them highly.
As a previous posting reported the tree register “Mark II” has become a joke. Which is right!
Taking parklands and concreting it over for carparking, and calling it “Bailey Reserve Playground — open space improvement” hasn’t gone unnoticed by residents.
Mr. Newton and Mr. Burke your days and ways maybe heading towards the four G’s
Get-out, Gone, Goodbye and of coarse Good-riddance.
December 20, 2011 at 12:00 AM
C’mon! The trees around McKinnon Reserve had very few redeeming features. That reserve has been in need of a major make over for years.
December 20, 2011 at 7:07 AM
Nothing wrong with renovatiing a park. The trees that have been planted will soon grow and look nice not only to park users but to people passing. Some years ago Princes Park was renovated which involved the removal of many mature trees. A walking track was installed which would not have worked without cutting down trees. There was public outcry mainly by the people that lived close by. The use of the park has increased many fold by walkers, joggers and dog owners. Most of the people that compalin live near by and some how think they have more ownership over the park that the rest of the residents. It is probably 50 years since Mackinnon Park had any major tree planting. The trees were inappropriate. Well done Glen Eira Council.
December 20, 2011 at 7:13 AM
I don’t know what all the blogers will do when, as most think,, all the current councillors will be thrown out at the next election. They should have nothing to complain about. All the blogs should be complemenary. Only 10 months to wait.
December 20, 2011 at 8:26 AM
This park is a major part of my families life and you know what. I think the removal of the trees is a vast improvment and I hope the replacment planting is less dense.
December 20, 2011 at 11:12 AM
anon 4
No-way will this stop even if all the councillors are changed, most of the bloggers here are a aged lot rusted-on to the Lib party, and they are mostly natural born traitors, they say what everyone want to hear to get themselves elected, and when they get elected, Newton tells them what to do and they jump to it like good little school-boys or girls. Cr. Forge is a classic example of this, she just cannot break the mould when it is important to do so. Conservatism runs deep in poor old Glen Eira.
December 20, 2011 at 1:31 PM
You are dead right. This most of the people around here do not subscribe to progressive politics (socialist) so why shouldn’t the council end up being to the right. Move to Brunswick and you will be less annoyed.
December 20, 2011 at 11:53 AM
178 trees gone and how many replanted? Guess the next generation will get to enjoy what’s been replanted cos itll take that long for them to grow to any decent size. Meantime we’re stuck with a boring desert.
December 20, 2011 at 12:58 PM
There is little thought about the natural legacy that we are handing down to the next generation, its all sport sport sport here in Glen Eira, and our newly elected Mayor has said, he looks forwards to a “sporting year” Move over trees he comes another tree trashing sporting Mayor.
December 20, 2011 at 4:45 PM
I can be as critical of Hyams as the next person. His ineffectiveness, lack of any semblance of balance when it comes to (MODERATORS: WORDS DELETED) and his toadying to Lipshutz being a few. However, your criticism here is emotive nonsense.