Cr Chandler tabled: Correspondence about Beatty Avenue and Elm Grove, Armadale, which he believed had already been tabled in relation to improvements in the residential section of Beatty Avenue. Correspondence about building works at 2 Kyeamba Grove, Toorak where illegal building had been going on for some time. He asked that Council Officers investigate and respond forcefully. A multi-signatured letter from residents of Rathmines Street, Toorak, with 11 signatures. Cr Chandler believed that all residents of the street had signed, asking for the introduction of 4 hour parking limit in the street. Cr Koce tabled: The Toorak Village Voice, noting that the AGM was to be held on 5 October. G. Questions to Council Officers from Councillors A Native Tree Plantings Cr Hindle referred to the letter in relation to native trees and shrubs, noting that it was the second letter about this matter that South Ward Councillors had received. There is some concern about bird life and Council not planting enough native trees. Cr Hindle asked if a balance is sought. She asked if the Parks and Garden Department could plan a balance of exotic and native trees. Simon Thomas, General Manager Assets and Services, said that different streets have different plantings. Where trees are predominantly exotics, they are replaced with exotics; where native with native trees. The choice is determined by existing plantings. Where there are larger areas Council offers residents a mixture. Natives are preferred because of drought tolerance and because they are a better choice of species given current climatic conditions. Basically tree choice relates to the character of street and existing vegetation types. Cr Hindle said she believed people were very upset because the Education Department had cut down the wonderful gum trees in Windsor. She asked if Council could make an effort to plant more native trees in that area. Simon Thomas, General Manager Assets and Services, said he would provide advice on species selection in areas that have lost trees. B Changing Places Facilities
Cr Chandler tabled: Correspondence about Beatty Avenue and Elm Grove, Armadale, which he believed had already been tabled in relation to improvements in the residential section of Beatty Avenue. Correspondence about building works at 2 Kyeamba Grove, Toorak where illegal building had been going on for some time. He asked that Council Officers investigate and respond forcefully. A multi-signatured letter from residents of Rathmines Street, Toorak, with 11 signatures. Cr Chandler believed that all residents of the street had signed, asking for the introduction of 4 hour parking limit in the street. Cr Koce tabled: The Toorak Village Voice, noting that the AGM was to be held on 5 October. G. Questions to Council Officers from Councillors A Native Tree Plantings Cr Hindle referred to the letter in relation to native trees and shrubs, noting that it was the second letter about this matter that South Ward Councillors had received. There is some concern about bird life and Council not planting enough native trees. Cr Hindle asked if a balance is sought. She asked if the Parks and Garden Department could plan a balance of exotic and native trees. Simon Thomas, General Manager Assets and Services, said that different streets have different plantings. Where trees are predominantly exotics, they are replaced with exotics; where native with native trees. The choice is determined by existing plantings. Where there are larger areas Council offers residents a mixture. Natives are preferred because of drought tolerance and because they are a better choice of species given current climatic conditions. Basically tree choice relates to the character of street and existing vegetation types. Cr Hindle said she believed people were very upset because the Education Department had cut down the wonderful gum trees in Windsor. She asked if Council could make an effort to plant more native trees in that area. Simon Thomas, General Manager Assets and Services, said he would provide advice on species selection in areas that have lost trees. B Changing Places Facilities
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