Firm stand: Jill Lillingstone-Hall says the tree controls are an unnecessary intrusion into her rights: "My property is my expense and my problem." Picture: Sam Stiglec
MONASH Council's latest bid to consult residents on the controversial vegetation protection overlay will cost ratepayers $34,000.
The council has written to 43,455 residents who occupy homes in VPO areas, seeking their opinion on the policy. As of last Wednesday, it had received 83 submissions.
Glen Waverley's Jill Lillingstone-Hall will be one of the residents calling for more flexibility for residents.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? How important is Monash's vegetation protection overlay, and does it justify the cost of the survey? Post a comment below.
Ms Lillingstone-Hall, 69, says the current laws compelling residents to seek permission if they want to chop down a tree are unacceptable and unfair.
"I resent the council telling people what they can do on their own personal, private part of land. They just can't be big daddy."
The survey follows a marathon debate last November when councillors voted to propose amending the VPO.
Under the proposed amendment, residents can rid their gardens of dead, dying or dangerous trees without council permission.
Healthy trees that are cut down must be replaced with two new canopy trees within six months.
But Ms Lillingstone-Hall, who has trained as an arborist, was scathing of the scheme.
"Many properties cannot accommodate two replacements because of the need for sunlight, space, vegetable gardens, safety and quite simply the need to do on your own property what is best for you," she said.
Ms Lillingstone-Hall also said the process the council was taking to consult residents — asking them to write a letter and posting it — was troublesome.
But Monash mayor Micaela Drieberg said the council was following a formal process set out in state planning laws.
"It's not a process where you are able to ask for general comments. It's a process where you need to seek feedback on a specific proposal."
Cr Drieberg said residents could also send submissions by email but must include their name and postal address.
Submissions close on Friday, March 15. Residents can send their submissions by email to briang@monash.vic.gov.au but must include their name and postal address.