Cr Peter Clarke

Nillumbik Shire Council will commence legal action against a developer for the alleged unauthorised removal of trees at an Eltham property.

Council previously refused a permit for tree removal and development of this property which was upheld in a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal determination in November 2019.

Acting on residents’ complaints, Council officers attended the property, at 91 John St, the visit confirming that a number of trees had been felled.

Council officers believe, based on their investigations, that a number of the trees cut down would have required a permit for removal and can confirm that no permits had been obtained.

Nillumbik Shire Council Deputy Mayor and Planning Committee Chair, Cr Peter Clarke ,said the unauthorised removal of trees in the Shire is an issue Council takes very seriously.

“One of the attractions of living in Nillumbik is the abundance of trees, a feature which gives so much of the Shire its great neighbourhood character,” Cr Clarke said.

“Council makes the conservation and enhancement of this character a priority and will act to ensure that anyone who does anything to detract from this character is held fully to account.

“The community are rightly very alarmed at this tree felling – as is Council – and we have acted accordingly.”

Council intends to lodge a proceeding for prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court.