Tree chop goes on

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
THE State Government will eventually develop permanent vegetation measures to ensure fuel loads are reduced and buffers are maintained, but until that time the “10/30” vegetation removal rule has been extended until March 2012.
The extension couldn’t come soon enough for local tree removal companies, who have been given the run-around between a personal promise and an official word.
The 10/30 fuel reduction plan was introduced following the release of the Bushfire Royal Commission’s interim report last August, with measures set to expire today, 31 August.
The 10/30 right allows residents in high fire risk areas the opportunity to remove trees which are within 10 metres from a house or ground fuel which is within 30 metres without a permit.
Yarra Valley tree loppers have spent the last few weeks in limbo, unable to book jobs in until the Yarra Ranges Council had received official notification from the government.
After the Mail reported that Deputy Premier Rob Hulls told Warburton residents earlier this month (17 August) that the 10/30 right would continue past the 31 August deadline, Yarra Valley tree lopper Peter Byers spent two weeks unable to book in his customers’ jobs.
“My clients are reading one thing and the shire is telling them another thing,” he said.
Mr Byers said it was important the clean-up was allowed to continue, not just with tree removal but also ground fuel reduction.
“Look at the bushland along the edge of the road and this is why fires spread,” he said.
“People are concerned by the fire danger and finally we can do this when the shire have said ‘no’ before.”
My Byers said when the right was first announced, there was no reaction by residents.
“We were surprised, we thought people would go nuts and cut everything down but there was no great rush,” he said.
Councillors have expressed their concerns to the government that the 10/30 rule can and is being be used inappropriately by some owners and developers to remove otherwise healthy trees, that pose little or no fire risk.
Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe supports the extension but agreed that it must not be used as an excuse by developers to clear an entire block.
“It must be absolutely clear how the 10/30 right works in the urban areas of Yarra Ranges so we don’t experience further confusion,” she said.
The Yarra Ranges Council was required to wait for official notification on the new rules, which has now occurred and residents and contractors are being advised.