Oversight of tree planting program needed
I refer to the Mayor's message and the advice "we've allocated $150,000 to a tree planting program on the Peninsula".
Does the Mayor expect hearty congratulations when the heat island effect has been an issue going back decades?
This matter needs constant monitoring by residents and community groups going forward for reasons obvious.
It is well known that local group Grow Urban Shade Trees has been hindered by the council in respect of its programs.
Will the council change the rules to meet its hyperbole?
What will be the council's inflated costs to complete this action?
I recently observed a GUST volunteer maintaining a newly-planted specimen, without the need of council vehicles and required staff.
What is the cost to GUST and the cost to the council for the same task?
GUST does not have staff numbers of 2434, like council.
Therefore its communication network is not overloaded with supervisors and managers more concerned with administration compliance than the health and welfare of residents.
The heat island effect has been a common objection to DAs, does the council's turnaround mean that increasing temperatures on the Peninsula due to approved DA's has been ignored in the assessment of DA's?
SOURCE:
Letter, 26 Jun 2025
N Harris, Umina