Anger erupts over council workers' tree act: 'Absolutely terrible'

Thursday's tree drama is the latest spat to emerge between Aussies and councils over trees — a topic causing problems all over the country.

Three contractors wearing high-visibility clothing pruning a large tree in Alexandria, Sydney.
Alexandria locals in Sydney questioned why occupants of Belmont Street weren't given notice that the huge tree was being trimmed over the top of their cars. Source: Facebook

Inner-city locals have taken aim at their council for what they said was an "absolutely terrible" idea — having contractors prune a large tree while "making no effort to protect the residents' cars" parked beneath. It's the latest issue involving councils and trees to make waves among Aussies, following a whole host of similar complaints earlier this year.

Sydneysiders living in Alexandria, just south of the city's CBD, took to social media on Thursday to question why occupants of Belmont Street weren't given notice that the huge tree was due to be trimmed. "FYI...council is trimming branches above people's cars. Suggest you move your car if you don't want it damaged," one local warned.

"No cones, no letter drop, and no real effort to protect cars other than a bloke waving a rake around," they claimed.

Locals responding promptly condemned the act, arguing they thought the sight "surely" went against standard procedure. "That is absolutely terrible. Hope the cars don't get too damaged," a woman said.

"No notification? I'm sure that's in breach of protocol," said another.

"Can I suggest reporting to City of Sydney? We have provided some constructive feedback about pruning... on streets, it would be good to log this as another issue. We have been assured council do take it seriously," commented a third.

Speaking to Yahoo News, a City of Sydney spokesperson said crews were "pruning street trees in Alexandria as part of our regular tree maintenance program".

"This work helps keep our trees in the best condition while maintaining necessary clearances from buildings and vehicles that are parking or using the road," the spokesperson told Yahoo.

"Qualified arborists work as a team and take care not to cause any damage. If any has accidentally occurred it can be reported here. We do not notify the community prior to performing this work."

Thursday's tree drama is the latest spat to emerge between Aussies and councils over trees — a topic causing problems in LGAs all over the country. Just days ago an Aussie mayor called on her community to keep an eye out for "dodgy tree sales" after thieves managed to steal nearly $1,200 worth of established trees from a local park over the weekend.

On Saturday, a Sydney council has followed through with threats to block prized waterside views after almost 300 trees were illegally felled. The huge double-sided red banner was installed on the foreshore in Longueville, stating “trees shouldn’t die for a view”.

Late last month, a developer was fined tens of thousands of dollars for "destroying" a tree the company was supposed to protect. Images supplied to Yahoo News showed the 80-year-old English oak tree behind exclusion fencing with several branches hacked off.

In August, in one of the more unique scenarios to emerge, a homeowner said he's worried a sick gum tree in his backyard might "fall onto someone and kill them". But because it's located half on his property and half on council-owned land, the two parties were locked in a battle over who's responsible for it.

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