Local concerned by tree clearing work
Wednesday April 22, 2009
Local resident Brian Bawden believes the recent knocking down of trees at the rear of the Pioneer housing estate subdivision is “environmental vandalism”.
Mr Bawden contacted The Cobar Weekly last Thursday morning to voice his concerns about the “vandalism of native fauna” behind his residence in Duffy Drive.
“I don’t know who it is that has been knocking down these trees.
“I’ve been onto council and to the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) in Dubbo but as yet neither have got back to me.
“They have knocked down at least two trees at the back of my house and I believe that could be over a fire break.”
After speaking with Mr Bawden, The Cobar Weekly raised the matter with Cobar Shire Council’s general manager Ray Smith.
He said council staff and a backhoe have been working in the area, which is council land, clearing drains leading to the cemetery.
“They have been removing shrubs that have grown in the drains to ensure that private properties are not at risk in the event of heavy rain.”
Mr Smith said work in the area had also included blocking off a dirt vehicle track at the bottom of Duffy Drive.
“This is to prevent illegal access that some residents have been using which is across council owned land and private property.”
He said this work was instigated as a result of a number of complaints from residents of Pioneer Estate.
Mr Bawden said he did not consider himself a “greenie” but he did not feel that some of the tree removal was justified.
“The pushing here is not just clearing shrubs or clearing a drain, it’s vandalism of native fauna.
“If somebody doesn’t say anything, then these things don’t get reported.
“I used to be one of those people who didn’t say anything and then you’d read in the paper about something big that had happened and wonder why no one bothered to report it.
“If it’s the people who own the blocks that have concerns about our access, then I think they should clean them up and put a fence around them,” Mr Bawden said.
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