Former Southern Grampians Mayor Howard Templeton has called for the Minister for Energy and Resources, Lily D’Ambrosio, to vote for common sense and ensure Victoria’s Regional tree canopy is secured by adding $1 billion in tree canopy.
The Victorian Government is seeking to overturn the overwhelming recommendation of a highly credentialled expert committee which wants to reduce unnecessary tree pruning around power lines in Victoria in areas designated as low bushfire risk.
Former Southern Grampians Mayor Howard Templeton said:
“Tree canopy in regional Victoria is under threat which brings risk to lives in major heatwaves, particularly for the elderly, not to mention the vast benefits trees bring to our day to day lives. The Governments’ poor decision-making puts at risk $1 billion in tree canopy and an additional 10,000 trees.
“The changes we are seeking impact areas designated as low bushfire risk. They are practical, safe and come at zero cost to taxpayers,” he said.
Leading Academic and Botanist Dr Greg Moore said:
“This is bureaucracy gone mad with a legitimate, sensible and safe proposal being overturned despite the overwhelming recommendation of the committee established to provide expert advice on this matter.
“My concern is that between 500 and 1,000 Victorian lives could be lost in a single heatwave event due to reduced tree canopy. In addition, there are enormous health and economic benefits that will be lost for future generations of Victorians due to one poor decision,” he said.
Tree canopy is a major issue for Victorians: surveys have shown tree canopy is a concern to 90% of people.
“The facts are in complete contrast to the Government’s spin. What the Government proposes is not safer. It actually increases safety risks and its line about preferring gradual change does not square up with the facts.
“As a community we cannot afford to trash Regional Victoria’s environmental future and lose the health and economic benefits that increased tree canopy brings to us all,” he said.
Trees contribute to property value uplift, lower energy bills, and overall cost savings. The health and mental health benefits of trees are also well established.
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