By Shelby Brooks
Nine trees in Cardinia Shire will be protected with heritage overlays as part of the council’s significant tree register.
The trees belong to seven different properties across the towns of Gembrook, Emerald and Kooweerup, the latter town having three trees found on one property.
In the council meeting on 20 September, councillor Tammy Radford spoke of the importance of having the trees on the register.
“It’s important to acknowledge the historical value and significance of some of the trees in our shire,” she said.
Due to the small number of tree nominations given by the community during the last consultation period in 2018, the shire decided to change the nomination process from every two years to every four years.
“The financial and time resources required to undertake this work was higher than anticipated given the small number of nominations received,” Cr Radford said.
She also noted by increasing the time between nomination cycles to every four years, it would align with the councillor cycle.
Cr Jack Kowarzik said the change would ensure a “more appropriate and sufficient use of ratepayers money.”
Mayor Owen said there would be an online process for people to nominate a tree in between the official consultations.
