Palm trees set to move

TOORADIN residents have banded together to save three Canary Island palm trees.
About 200 people signed a petition to Casey Council to relocate the trees, currently outside two residential properties on the South Gippsland Highway, Tooradin.
If not relocated, the trees will have to be removed from the front of the properties as they are too close to powerlines.
Councillor Colin Butler said the large trees were all suitable to move and could be relocated to the Tooradin foreshore.
He said in the 2007-08 council Budget, $40,000 had been allocated for landscaping around the boardwalk and part of this money could be used for the trees.
Mayor Kevin Bradford agreed that the foreshore was the best place for the trees.
“They are very impressive palm trees,” Cr Bradford said. “It would be a shame to lose them.”
Councillors agreed to accept the offer of the heritage-listed trees and for council officers to liaise with property owners and the Tooradin Foreshore Committee to determine a suitable site and the method of relocation.
Cr Butler said a planning permit would be applied for if required, while the residents of the two properties had access to trucks for the relocation.