Viewing corridors in Birchgrove

Birchgrove residents have spoken out against the destruction of local trees to make way for residential viewing corridors in the area. In recent weeks, several trees have been cut down in Birchgrove in a blatant attempt to improve views.

Local resident Tom Fawcett said the trend has placed local wildlife in danger.

“If everyone wanted a view corridor there would be no trees in the parks, the idea goes against Leichhardt Council’s Biodiversity Policy,” he said.

Residents have listed the destruction of a peppercorn tree, a phoenix palm tree and a bottle brush tree as especially threatening to the wellbeing of local habitat. Mr Fawcett suggested Council revise their policies on tree lopping to ensure there are no nesting holes and animals under threat.

“The effect on wildlife is that there is less habitat, in particular food and holes for animals to sleep in are decreasing,” he said. “There has also been cutting of trees in Mort Bay Park by residents, obviously to preserve views with the notion of property values in mind.

“Council has done tree cutting on the corner of Cameron and Bay Streets and was intending to do more in Mort Park.”

Leichhardt Liberal Councillor, John Jobling, said the issue of a threat to wildlife has been overplayed.

“Native animals are extraordinarily good at moving as they want from tree to tree and adjusting to where they choose to live,” he said. “Sometimes you need tree lopping as some trees are much healthier if controlled, but you can’t let everybody loose with an axe … it needs a degree of common sense and balance.

“Sometimes the wrong trees have been planted in the first place, in the end I’d like to keep as many trees as we can if they are the right trees to suit our neighbourhood.”

The issue coincides with an Excellence in Environment Award given to Leichhardt Council last week for its 20-year strategic plan for sustainable strategies. Council’s nomination, ‘Acting on the Vision – Working Together for a Sustainable and Liveable Community’, focused on community engagement in attending committee meetings alongside councillors.