BREAKING: Environmental groups are urgently appealing to the Greater Dandenong Council to halt the removal of 43 trees to make way for the new $122 million Dandenong Wellbeing Centre. Most of these trees are located in and around the Dandenong Oasis car park at JC Mills Reserve.
The Council has confirmed that two of the trees scheduled for removal are River Red Gums, which are classified as remnant vegetation and require a planning permit for their removal. However, this permit is exempt from public notice or review, only requiring notification to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. According to the council, these two trees are of moderate retention value and in poor health, with an estimated lifespan of only five to 15 years.
In contrast, the remaining 41 trees do not require permits for removal and are deemed to have no high retention value. Many have reportedly suffered from “concrete collars” and are also in poor health. Despite the planned removal, the council insists that most of the significant trees on JC Mills Reserve will be retained.
Environmental advocates are “shocked” by this decision. Isabelle Nash from the Greater Dandenong Environment Group expressed her alarm, stating, “We are so alarmed to hear that over 40 trees will be destroyed, and all without the expected planning proposals and procedures.” She emphasized the vital role of these mature trees in providing canopy cover and cooling shade during the summer months.
Nash added, “Imagine taking your family to the Wellbeing Centre to cool down in the summer heat and then scorch in the sun walking back to overheated cars.” The Greater Dandenong Council is reportedly planning to plant over 140 trees and more than 25,000 plants as part of the project. However, Nash argues that it will take years for these new plantings to replace the lost canopy.
Zoe Mohl, a recipient of the 2023 Greater Dandenong sustainability award, echoed these sentiments, questioning the council’s commitment to tree protection laws. “What is the purpose of making these laws if they’re not overreaching the community, including council-owned land?” Mohl asked. “I’m in absolute shock as to why government and developers today are not working with and for trees every time.”
Community outrage has been palpable, with local residents like Pam Naylor and Gaye Guest voicing their discontent. Guest lamented, “We fought to save the River Red Gum at the Maurie Kirby Velodrome – and won. Yet the Council continues to approve the destruction of significant trees across the municipality. This isn’t progress; it’s erasure.”
As the controversy escalates, Sanjay Manivasagasivam from Greater Dandenong city futures stated that the council cannot comment until after a briefing scheduled for September 1, 2023. “We will thoroughly brief councillors first, so they don’t learn about it in the media. After this briefing, we will be very happy to discuss and explain the matter to the community,” he assured.
The Dandenong Wellbeing Centre aims to replace the aging Dandenong Oasis aquatic centre and will focus on allied health, education, fitness, and wellness. This two-storey facility will feature separate pool halls and an integrated sports pavilion, with an expected opening date of 2027.
As the community grapples with the potential loss of these trees, the urgency for preservation is clear. The situation remains fluid, and residents await further updates from local authorities. Sharing this story is crucial to raise awareness and advocate for the trees that many believe are essential to the environmental health of the area.
