A LARGE pine tree with overhanging limbs in Walkers Road, Mirboo, has been described by local residents as potentially dangerous.
“It needs to be trimmed,” said Mirboo beef farmer Coral Donat.
“I’ve rung South Gippsland Shire many times, but now I’ve given up,” she said.
“The trees in Walkers Road are close to powerlines, but I’m yet to receive a satisfactory response from South Gippsland Shire.
“The power goes out fairly often.”
The only access to Ms Donat’s farm is through Walkers Road.
“The road is bituminised, but the big pine tree needs to be addressed,” said Coral.
“Locals have to go under the Walkers Road trees to get mail and access services.
“A tree could fall across the road anytime.
“The pine tree in particular is very bad and hangs over the whole road.
“It’s just dangerous.”
Five local residents live on the same road as Coral. Last year’s windstorm created hanging limbs, which regularly fall down, according to Ms Donat.
“They just leave the fallen limbs by the side of the road.
“That road is used by a school bus.
“Vehicles come very close to touching low-hanging branches.”
“It’s a council responsibility,” said Coral.
“I’ve complained about it for 18 months.”
Coral said the Shire has also failed to attend to noxious blackberries in the same area.
South Gippsland Shire Council acknowledged that large trees, particularly those with limbs extending over roads, can sometimes appear concerning to residents.
The tree on Walkers Road has been inspected multiple times over the past three years by qualified staff, and each assessment has indicated that no additional work is required.
Based on these inspections, South Gippsland Shire said there is no current indication of increased risk, and no action was planned to prune the tree at this time.
AusNet is responsible for clearing vegetation near powerlines.
