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PHOTO: Nicole Garmston
Bayside City Council Mayor Cr Alex del Porto today expressed regret that consultation for the removal of vegetation at the Beaumaris Secondary College site did not reach an agreed outcome.
Council wrote to the Premier and the Minister for Education in October 2016 asking for the removal of trees at the site to stop immediately to enable meaningful consultation and reconsider the number of trees for removal.
Since that time Council has been actively making representations to ensure maximum retention of trees on the site.
Acknowledging the great public benefits of the school development, Cr Alex del Porto said it was disappointing that more could not be done to minimise vegetation loss on the site.
“It would have been preferable to have further consultation before deciding to remove the trees. Trees on this site provide important habitat and aesthetic value in keeping with vegetation on both private and public land in the Beaumaris area.
“We welcome the Victorian School Building Authority’s concessions that will save some of the trees previously earmarked for removal, and we look forward to the release of further detail about replanting of trees in keeping with the character of local vegetation.
“The new school represents a significant investment in public education in Bayside, and will provide important community access to sporting facilities,” said Cr del Porto.
Today the Toorak Times witnessed a lone protester jump a police line and throw herself in front of a workman's chainsaw .
Putting herself at risk of serious injury or death, Police then removed her from the site while she complained about being tackled by the worker.
Police and the company hired to fell the trees are not pursuing her complaint as she was foolish enough to enter the restricted site and interfere with the operation.
Applause was heard for the chainsaw operator after he managed to successfully throw her to the ground with his right hand while still holding the fuel powered chainsaw in his left.
All greenies who wish to protest are reminded to keep their distance from operations such as these and remember safety should always come first.