Living With the Bush

DIAMOND Valley environmentalists have slammed new laws that give homeowners the right to remove shrubs and ground covers without a permit.

They say this will cause irreversible damage to local ecosystems.

But Nillumbik Council maintains the laws will end confusion about what can be cleared.

Under the new state laws residents will be able to clear shrubs and ground covers within 30 metres of their home and trees up to 10 metres from buildings.

Friends of Nillumbik spokeswoman Lynlee Tozer said such an impulsive decision was made because the State Government feared being accused of inaction.

She said nationally endangered species such as the matted flax lily and native geraniums would come under severe pressure leading to an “incremental loss of plant species.

“Speaking as an ecogolist, we take out a little more and a little more until you knock one more thing over and the ecosystem collapses,” Ms Tozer said.

Leading environmentalist and member of Nillumbik Council’s green wedge management plan committee Dr Geoff Mosley feared the rules would cause permanent damage to the environment through loss of biodiversity, because people could take roadside clearing into their own hands.

“I think lots of people will go well beyond the 10/30 rule,” Dr Mosley said.

Until now, Nillumbik residents needed a council permit to clear vegetation if their home was subject to an overlay; or they could remove plants up to 10 metres around their home if no overlay applied.

The new rules will also allow vegetation and trees to be cleared within four metres of boundary fences, provided they have permission from their neighbour.

Residents will be allowed to collect firewood from roadside areas for up to two weeks before each planned burn-off by the CFA.

Nillumbik Mayor Bo Bendtsen said new rules applied regardless of when the house was built, or where it was built and whether the house was previously subject to a planning overlay. “We need to get the balance right,” he said.

 14 SEP 09 @ 08:00AMhttp://diamond-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/images/style/bullet-bar-g...); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 0px 50%; "> BY ENGEL SCHMIDL

http://diamond-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/chop-and-drop-rules-criticised/

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