Councillor Geoff Ablett has called on the council to
By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey is set to investigate a row of trees along a Cranbourne South road after they were deemed dangerous by residents and councillors.
About 100 trees along Browns Road, which are located on private property, have large limbs that hang over the road – something councillor Geoff Ablett said was a death trap waiting to happen.
“It’s only a matter of time before one breaks off,” he said.
“From my experience with trees, when branches came down in Berwick, they nearly hit kids.
“If it happens when it is at night and traffic is coming, it could cause a very bad crash.
“You only have to look in the paddocks to see that some of the large limbs have already come down on the other side of the fence.
“It’s probably the worst area for limbs overhanging a main road in Casey.”
At last week’s council meeting, the council resolved for officers to investigate and report back to the council in relation to the trees on the private property.
Cr Ablett said he raised the issue after hearing concerns from a number of residents.
“They have said it’s frightening when you drive along the road, particularly when it’s windy,” Cr Ablett said.
“When it’s windy, the limbs almost touch the road.”
Cr Ablett said something needed to be done soon.
“The problem is that often we get an arborist report back and they say its OK then when one comes down no one wants to take the blame,” he said.
“But these trees need to be trimmed at least to the edge of the road.”
A report, including photographs, will be submitted to the council at next week’s council meeting.
