Community help needed for tree protection

TREE vandals have been put on notice as the city urges residents to report suspected damage in the wake of another expansive planting program.

More than 2500 trees will be planted across Greater Geelong this year under the city’s commitment to create a cooler and greener municipality.

In a bid to tackle vandalism, the city has erected new signage to inform the community about wilful damage to the environment.

Chair of the City Works, Parks and Gardens portfolio Cr Anthony Aitken said the initiative aimed to reduce the number of attacks made against the city’s tree population.

“Trees are a highly valuable asset and any deliberate vandalism of them impacts on the wider community,” he said.

“We would like the community’s help in protecting our trees and would appreciate any information in relation to attacks on them.

“Trees are defenceless members of our community, especially newly planted ones.

“Please love and keep an eye out for our trees and help them grow.”

The installation of signs at St Helen’s Reserve in Rippleside follows the poisoning of two trees earlier this year.

Up to 43 trees were previously planted in the reserve during 2020 under a community-led project supported by a federal grant and delivered by the city.

Cr Eddy Kontelj said the environmental, social and health benefits of an urban tree population would be huge for the community.

The Urban Forest Strategy is committed to improving Geelong’s canopy cover from 14 per cent to 25 per cent across a 32-year period.

“Our trees provide shade, cool our public areas and improve the feel and liveability of the region,” he said.

“We want to create a larger and more diverse tree network to improve canopy cover in our streets, open spaces and reserves.

“In addition, it is not okay or acceptable for anyone to be vandalising property or assets, whether they belong to a community member, or they are publicly owned.”

The city is encouraging any suspicious activity regarding the trees to be reported on 5272 5272.