Moira Council has signed off on a recent tree-trimming program in Yarrawonga that has drawn ire.
Contractors managed by council recently pruned back canopies from powerlines in Yarrawonga, with council saying it was work that was done annually.
However, the work done at several trees in central Yarrawonga has drawn the ire of Benalla-based Bruce Biggs who was shocked to see what had happened to a jacaranda tree outside a Piper Street property he owns.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw,” Mr Biggs said.
“This is probably the biggest and oldest jacaranda tree in Yarrawonga.
“There is no rhyme or reason to how they’ve approached it – surely they could have levelled it out at the top or bundled the powerlines a different way.
“It’s just amateurish – aesthetically it’s horrendous, and how is it going to grow?
“Yarrawonga does not have the tree cover like Beechworth or Bright, it needs to look after its trees.”
Mr Biggs also highlighted a “magnificent” cedar tree at the corner of Orr and Hovell streets that received similar treatment.
“Jacarandas and cedars are slow-growing, and they’ve cut the guts out. The water is probably going to pool at the bottom and rot them out through the centre.”
“It’s bloody-minded desecration.”
Asked if the trimming had been done properly, Moira Council had no problems with the recently completed work.
“As a result of the clearance legally required, some tress may look unsightly due to these cuttings, however this work is done annually and is necessary,” a council spokesperson said.
Council said the main objective was to meet legislated clearance levels outlined in the Electricity Safety (Electric Line Clearance) Regulations 2020, part of the Electricity Safety Act (1998). The Act generally requires a 30cm clearance for lines that span 40m or less between poles.
“The main objective of this work is to ensure that all trees are in line with legislation and abide by the Act, and do not cause the risk of fire, electrical damage, etc,” council said.
Mr Biggs said tree trimming in his hometown of Benalla was aesthetically pleasing, showing the Yarrawonga Chronicle a range of images of powerlines crossing above levelled out canopies.
“They could have lowered the canopies and then just trimmed them every three to four years,” he said.