Trees face axe

By Kath Gannaway
THE Education Department had delivered an ultimatum to the Badger Creek Primary School Council: ‘Cut down the trees around the school’s gymnasium or we will decommission the building as a fire refuge’.
The school is one of 28 primary schools in the Shire of Yarra Ranges advised by the department last week that buildings assigned as “fire refuges” would have all trees removed.
All trees within 15 metres of buildings, and possibly within 40 metres, have been earmarked for removal during the school holidays.
The notice has caused a furore in some schools and with the Shire of Yarra Ranges who say there was little or no consultation and that the removal is not consistent with prevailing fire science, or environmental and sun-safe practices.
An Education Department spokesperson told the Mail however they are simply following Royal Commission recommendations.
“The Bushfire Royal Commission has recommended that the refuges in schools be upgraded,” she said.
“The department has engaged the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority to assess the refuges, and the removal of vegetation surrounding fire refuges has been a specific recommendation.”
Fourteen trees are earmarked for removal at Badger Creek including three exotic trees in the middle of a paved area.
School council president Nicola Stairmand told the Mail while the safety of the school community was also their priority, they would like to see the expert reports and have an opportunity to discuss the reasons put forward as to why the trees posed a threat.
“What we are not happy with is the complete lack of consultation on this issue,” Ms Stairmand said.
School parent and forest research ecologist, David Blair, welcomed proposals to upgrade the building to decrease it’s vulnerability to ember attack – the building currently had a straw-lined ceiling, louvre windows and no fire-fighting equipment – but said fire threat came from undergrowth, not tall trees.
He said the trees earmarked for removal had been strategically placed, and provided shade to key areas including play areas. He said he believed the benefits of having the trees throughout the year far outweighed the perceived risk.
“The government has also said schools will be closed more frequently on high fire risk days, so chances are the refuge may never be used,” he said.
Yarra Ranges mayor Len Cox, in a letter to Education Minister Bronwyn Pike, also argued the decision was not supported by fire science principles and said it was contrary to the intent of the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative.
He said in many cases trees were isolated from each other and were planted in paved areas or bare dirt.
He said although 28 of the 34 schools listed were in Yarra Ranges, the shire was not advised of the plans, having to source maps from local schools.
He said the maps gave no indication to contractors as to title boundaries and warned that if trees were on council or private property a planning permit would be required.
The department has acknowledged that both Badger Creek and Chum Creek primary schools have concerns about the proposed tree removal.
“The department intends to resolve (the issue) before proceeding,” the spokesperson said.
However, there seems to be no flexibility in the “stay or go” policy in terms of the trees.
“If a school decides against the removal of vegetation then the refuge will need to be decommissioned,” she said.
“The department will not compromise on child safety.”