VICTORIA St, one of Goulburn’s arterial roads into the city, is a wide boulevard lined with lush green trees forming a natural arch under which the traffic passes.
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However, just around the corner in Neville St the once-green trees have been hacked by contractors for Essential Energy. Trees in Gibson St have also been trimmed overzealously.
It is the second time this year Essential Energy’s tree trimming program has angered residents and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.
The latter’s general manager, Warwick Bennett, fired off a letter to Essential Energy’s chief operating officer, Gary Humphries, describing the standard of tree trimming as “unacceptable”.
“It is with dismay and almost anger that we as a Council have to write this letter to you about the tree trimming in Goulburn City,” Mr Bennett wrote.
“We had a commitment from Essential Energy that prior to any further trimming of trees in this city you would consult and negotiate with us.
“In what can only be described as an arrogant attitude, Essential Energy have trimmed further trees beyond what any community or any reasonable person would consider acceptable.
“Even your Field Officer who spoke with my staff this morning believes the trees have been over trimmed and he is embarrassed by the actions.
“When will Essential Energy start abiding by its own rules and guidelines and have respect for this community, the environment and good ethical standards?”
Mayor Geoff Kettle also angrily blasted the electricity provider, saying the work “made a mockery” of Goulburn’s trees.
Cr Kettle had arrived at Tuesday morning’s Men from Snowy River March in Belmore Park when several residents approached him to complain.
“The first thing that was said to me instead of ‘good morning’ was, ‘Have you seen what Essential Energy have done in Neville and Gibson streets’,” Cr Kettle said.
“Since then, the general manager and I have had a discussion with Essential Energy, basically saying we have no trust or respect or faith in their tree culling practices.
“They’ve just made a mockery out of our heritage trees. We have arborists on council staff who would be able to do this job much better.
“Gary Humphries gave me a personal undertaking ... that it would never happen again. How do I and Goulburn’s residents know it’s not going to happen again? We don’t.
“I’ve had further discussions with Essential Energy this [Tuesday] afternoon, demanding that their chief executive come to Goulburn and have a look at the damage his contractors have done.
“We’ve suggested that the only way for him to fix this is to maybe discuss council doing the work under the supervision of arborists, of which we have some on staff. “He has agreed to come and discuss that possibility.”
The tree trimming contractors have agreed to stop work in Goulburn until a solution can be worked out, Cr Kettle said.
Meanwhile, an Essential Energy spokesperson said they were investigating concerns raised by Goulburn Mulwaree Council in relation to vegetation management work being undertaken in Neville and Gibson streets.
“Essential Energy has been in contact with the council today regarding its concerns and has suspended tree trimming in Goulburn while we carry out an assessment of the works and meet with the vegetation contractor and council to further discuss the issues raised,” the spokesperson said.
“Essential Energy pro-actively undertakes vegetation management around powerlines to maintain minimum safety clearances and protect public safety and the reliability of the electricity supply.”
