Digging with morals

[Andrew Legg]

Just motivated me to ask the question to my local council about a tree near me! Let's see what it drags up.

[Meagi]

Here is my response from my local council while seeking permission to dig English elms in my area .
Considered a weed tree!!

know the area you are referring to and have spoken with the coordinator that is responsible for the maintenance of this area about where Council's responsibility for maintenance begins and ends here.
   I cannot give permission for you to do this as anything from the high water mark and lower is the responsibility and property of Melbourne Water.

   If it was Council's I would have to say no because would possibly set a precedence for residents taking what they want from reserves etc and potentially cause damage to native animal habitat.
   
   Vandalism of Council trees can incur fines of $1000 plus replacement costs.

Regards
Tree Services Coordinator
Operations

[Ulf]

Oh dear, fancy the public taking something from the *public* reserve. Pretty typical small minded bureaucracy...

[Meagi]

Guess he did not understand I was not "taking" what I wanted .
I was seeking the permission firstly !
If the public were to take what the wanted without asking then that deserves a fine that is theft !!

Same narrow mined government logic!!
This time next year tax payers will probably be paying for removal of these same trees!

They call it a reserve ... Full of needles broken glass dipiars unwanted rubbish ...
Must say its a lovely scenic place ....

Bloody joke really can't be bothered even worry bout the elm raft I spotted they can jam it !

[lackhand]

Sounds like you came in too high up the chain of command. I think I would try to talk to the actual laborers or their foreman. Just tell them you'll bring them all a cold beer if they call you when they pull the tree out, so they can throw it away into the back of your car instead of the trash. Note that I have yet to try this technique, but cold beer has some serious persuasive powers at the end of a long, hot day. It should at least make them a bit more likely to keep your phone number.

[Meagi]

just drives me mad you google English Elm and you see where Australia has been trying to control the out break of english elms in Australia since they were introduced and cant seem to kill them and you ask goverment for a tree and its like " no '

no questions no consideration ....and as far as suing only would have to put a clause in it that is at your own risk ....they would not even do that as they say is not legal.

my responce was so if i jump of a swallow bridge in to water and break my neck i can sue you even thou is posted ... no its posted was the reply .


so in other words dive at your own "RISK " is diffrent ?

absoulte rubbish .
makes one wonder if we do live in a free country ....i wonder if i was his grandson would i be allowed or a park foremans son .... the tree would all of a sudden NEED to be dug up and DISPOSED of for health of the habitat .

if they really sat down and thought about it all our trees het best of care .. and what do they love most ? water ,triming ,root work ....food ... to grow and look good.

maybe im nuts?

[Ulf]

Just had a thought- what if you organized your local bonsai/scout/rotary/school group to do an environmental control day removing "weeds" in the local public park or reserve? Combine it with one of the Clean up Australia day type functions and even the worst small minded bureaucrat will have a tough time stopping you. And think of the amount of free range plants available...free!!!
You would of course dispose of the weeds (into the back of your car) properly because you are a good citizen.

[Glenn C]

Sounds like you came in too high up the chain of command. I think I would try to talk to the actual laborers or their foreman. Just tell them you'll bring them all a cold beer if they call you when they pull the tree out, so they can throw it away into the back of your car instead of the trash. Note that I have yet to try this technique, but cold beer has some serious persuasive powers at the end of a long, hot day. It should at least make them a bit more likely to keep your phone number.

Karl, I am shocked that you think Aussie council workers can be bought with a cold beer!!