For those who think that a tree register is now a done deal, then last night’s council meeting is a rude awakening. The sticking point, as it has always been, is the issue of whether or not there should be controls placed on private land.
In a series of claims intended to wrench at the heartstrings we had Magee, Sztrajt, Esakoff and Cade stating that they were against laws that applied to private land, or which enabled neighbours to nominate trees on another’s land. Other spurious arguments like emergency situations, costs for home owners, etc. were also brought up.
Interestingly, Hyams was silent. His eventual vote therefore becomes crucial. Four out of the nine councilors have now made it clear that they will not support a tree register which covers private land, or at best which permits anyone from nominating a tree not on their own land. All it will take for this latest attempt to enter the 21st century is one more councillor to vote it out!
Most of the above arguments revolved around ‘individual rights’ over properties. These councilors seem to have forgotten their previous mantras that council works for the best interests of the entire community! We had this with the Elsternwick structure plan, with the current fiasco of the Inkerman bike path, and many other issues.
The motion eventually passed unanimously with that old argument that more reports are still to be presented to council before a final decision is made. We will not be holding our breath that after at least 15 years of dithering there will be something to celebrate for residents who care about what is happening on private land.
Glen Eira Debates 
May 1, 2019 at 11:33 AM
You haven’t mentioned the ridiculous claims made by Strajt. He reckoned that thousands of homeowners would wake up and find they have potentially got a significant tree. We will be lucky if the register even gets to 300. Stop fearmongering.
May 1, 2019 at 11:49 AM
We won’t get anything decent if this is what’s brewing
May 1, 2019 at 3:25 PM
None of this is rocket science. Scores of councils have tree registers even in their planning schemes. Appeal rights are there and so are emergency protocols. The stumbling block is the “let the market decide” mentality of some councillors who put development ahead of sustainability and liveability. How much more moonscaping do they want to see?
May 1, 2019 at 5:48 PM
I can see what we will get. A water downed version that lets developers rip up every single green shrub or tree on any block. Good on yas councillors for keeping the neanderthals going.
May 2, 2019 at 7:19 AM
It’s good to see Mr. Football Magee is still acting as a Liberal Party stooge