Tree fee bugging council

By Jim Mynard
BERWICK residents will be asked to pay $25 a tree to protect them from elm leaf beetles.
The beetle specifically attacks elm trees and can destroy a tree within 10 years.
Casey Council decided it could not continue to pay $20,000 a year to protect private elm trees but would continue to pay for the protection of 150 elms on public property.
Casey manager of works Alex Micheli said in a report to the Tuesday 4 July council meeting that the council had covered the cost of controlling the beetle for the past 10 years.
He said treatment of the private trees was an important part of elm leaf beetle control because it prevented reinfestation of public elm trees.
He said, however, that the program began with treatment of only 200 private trees but that figure had grown to more than 1000 trees.
“The council is treating the private trees and 150 councilowned trees.”
He said the list of private trees was increasing.
“The preferred method of treatment is by stem injection.
“Previously trees were sprayed and the treatment lasted approximately one year, but the spray caused health concerns and there was a high level of wastage.
“Trees can now be treated without risk of reinfection for two years,” he said.
Mr Micheli said in the report that the council did not treat any other species of trees located on private property.
He said the fee would cover administration and application costs and was a fair way of dealing with the elm leaf beetle problem.
The council then agreed to provide the treatment by using stem injection at a cost to residents.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Paul Richardson said the council should maintain the status quo and pay for the treatment because elm trees were a beautiful part of Berwick.
“Most are in the Berwick area and each year more trees come on the register,” he said.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said if the council started charging to treat the trees then some residents might lose interest in their protection.
“We risk losing these significant trees that are part of Berwick.
“We should continue the program to keep the beetle away,” he said.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson said people needed to be responsible for their own trees because the council could not maintain the program.
“Where will we get the money to keep this up?
“I believe people will be prepared to spend the money to protect these beautiful trees,” he said.
Edrington Ward councillor Mick Morland said he believed people would continue to protect the trees at $25 each.
Edrington Ward councillor Brian Hetherton said Berwick was noted for its trees, mainly oaks and elms.
“Residents and owners enjoy the trees but I think they are mainly appreciated by visitors.”
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said the situation was difficult because the council did not provide free treatment for other trees.