Letter to Helen Whiteside (Mayor) Glen Eira

Friends of Caulfield Park

PO Box 2511

Caulfield Junction 3161

13th February 2009

The Mayor, Councilor H Whiteside
Glen Eira City Hall
Glen Eira Road
Glen Eira


Dear Helen,

RE: Trees in Caulfield Park

I refer to my email, earlier this month regarding the need to care for trees in stress in Caulfield Park and to my letters to S Tang of 13th June last year and subsequent follow up to S Unwin regarding the parlous state of a particular magnolia tree (see attached).

I am sorry to discover that this tree in the park has now been chopped down (see photos below).

Frankly, this is a sorry state of affairs.

I know from your campaign material and our previous discussions that you are concerned for the welfare of the park. Please consider what steps can be taken to minimize the impact of climate change on these priceless assets. It seems to me that to just wait until they are irretrievably damaged and then to cut them down is not a very useful strategy. If this is not better managed, then ultimately, we will all be left with nothing to enjoy.

Following on our meeting with Steven last year, we look forward to having an opportunity to meet with you to discuss matters affecting the park.

In the mean time we would be interested to know what strategies the Council has put in place in the short term to ensure the ongoing water restrictions do not continue to lead to the wasting of other precious trees like the magnolia.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Cramphorn
Secretary. Cc Cr. S Tang, S Unwin

Public Question 2 to Glen Eira Council

From: Michael Cramphorn
Subject: Glen Eira trees and parks

“In light of the recent extreme weather, what specific steps is Council taking to assess the impact on Glen Eira trees and parks, and to establish an appropriate strategy to protect those assets?”

The Mayor asked the Director Community Relations (DCR) to read Council’s response. He said:

“On 23 February 2009 Council wrote to you in response to similar questions that you had put.

Council’s response says: ‘Thank you for your email of 5 February 2009 and further letter of 13 February 2009.

Firstly can I assure you that Council is doing its utmost to ensure that our trees survive this terrible ongoing drought. Just in the last few weeks the terrible weather conditions that brought the recent tragic firestorms to Victoria has had a noticeable effect on trees throughout Melbourne. I can tell you that all Councillors and Council staff share the same interest as you do in preserving our living environment.

In relation to the specifics of your recent communications the matters were referred to Council’s Manager Park Services, who has responded:

“Glen Eira has access to bore water and uses this water as the main water supply to ‘trees at risk’. In addition we have also been proactive in obtaining water from other sources. As reported in the February Glen Eira News, Council has obtained three million litres of water from a building site for use on its trees. Wetting agent is added to the bore water to assist the water to penetrate deep into the tree’s root system where it is needed most.

Park Services have been regularly watering the trees in the western end of Caulfield Park since October last year. With relatively short travel distances, Council uses trailer mounted water tanks to cart water to the trees. An average of 2500 litres of water is applied weekly to each large tree.

In addition to the regular watering, many trees have been mulched and a small number of drought affected trees have received specialised hydro-aeration works to improve the trees’ ability to absorb moisture.

Works are also planned for later this financial year to install drip irrigation designed to water trees in the heritage area (western end) of Caulfield Park. These works are intended to help protect the trees from the effects of drought. We are continuing to monitor the health of the trees within Caulfield Park.

With regard to the removal of the magnolia tree, extensive attempts were made to save this tree before a decision was made to remove it.”

Should you have any further queries regarding your concerns, please call the Service Centre on 9524 3333.

Public Question 1 to Glen Eira Council

From: Michael Cramphorn
Subject: Caulfield Park Pavilion

“Does Council still believe that the Caulfield Park pavilion will be completed midyear?

How will the new facility be used?
How will Council be allocating access rights to interested users?
Will a usage policy be developed to ensure fair and equitable access to interested parties and to take account of the interests of all categories of park users and local residents?”

The Mayor asked the Director Community Relations (DCR) to read Council’s response.

He said:

“Council expects the pavillion to be completed on time.
The facilities offered in the Caulfield Park pavillion will have the same use and the same availability to the community as similar pavillions in Glen Eira.
The tenant clubs will continue to receive seasonal allocations and the community room will be available for booking and use by community groups.
Bookings will be administered by Council’s Recreation and Youth Services department.
There will be a schedule of hire charges for the community room that will take account of both ordinary bookings and community bookings.
Community groups will be able to apply for a Community Grant to cover the cost of hire for community purposes.”