EDITOR – I note with dismay the destruction of the trees on the island in Bluff Road opposite Regal Spares and on a visit to the Rossburgh Licencing Office, the three large trees which provided much welcome shade in the parking area which have also been destroyed.
What is the policy of the department responsible for the protection and nurturing of our trees?
All I see is the wholesale destruction and disfigurement of trees in our suburb and elsewhere in the city. Yet, following the storm of October 2017, despite reporting the downing of seven large alien trees in the vacant municipal property in Tara Road adjacent to the Pigeon Club, they are still to be removed.
If this department is looking for trees to destroy, I suggest they look to the alien species which infest both sides of the canal behind the Dutch and Pigeon clubs. And does this department ever plant trees to replace those which they have removed?
ALAN YOUNG
EDITOR – All trees within the Bluff area are maintained and protected to the best of the parks department’s ability.
In cases where trees become problematic, the last option would be to remove the tree.
The community is well aware of the multiple deadly accidents that occurred at this intersection (Old Mission Road and Bluff Road). One of the main causes of these accidents was due to the obstruction of motorists’ line of sight driving around the bend on Bluff Road towards Edwin Swales. The trees were assessed to see whether lifting the branches would improve this problem. Unfortunately this would have not been sufficient enough to solve the problem and the decision was taken to remove them.
The vacant space left on the island will be replanted with indigenous vegetation to replace the natural aspects lost due to the removal of the trees.
Our local horticulturist and the ward committee has embarked on multiple projects to replant trees which were lost during last year’s storm. During the month of September (Arbour Month), we plan on planting a wide range of trees across ward 66. If anyone has an interest in the protection of our communities trees, I invite them to take part in this programme. Feel free to contact my office for more details on 031-467-0056.
I would like to reiterate that the removal of any trees is always the last option. The team working within our community has years of experience and do everything in their power to ensure the Bluff’s natural spaces are protected and well preserved for future generations. Their dedication to this community is admirable.
A public notice on this matter was circulated on social media (Bluff Community Noticeboard) on 1 September at 7.45am.
CLLR JP PRINSLOO
