Save last remaining shade trees in Woy Woy
Central Coast Council Administrator Mr Rik Hart has come out after the council meeting pretending that he wants what is best for the residents of the Peninsula.
Please don't be conned by his trickery with words or promises.
We all know that this council cannot be trusted with money or community land.
They see dollar signs where we see mature irreplaceable trees and habitat.
They have shown us in the past that money can disappear without a trace.
Why would we in our right mind now believe that they will do the right thing by residents and our environment?
There are far more than 40 trees in the section of Austin Butler Reserve shown by council to be removed and no amount of planting trees will ever replace what we lost.
We have all witnessed the brutal destruction of street trees by the power companies who trim them often.
These street trees are not homes or feed for our animals and provide no shelter for the community.
The Grow Urban Shade Trees group is already planting street trees and if they were supported more they could do more for the community.
I much prefer to trust them with our native tree planting rather than council.
Rik Hart is trying to manipulate the decision by promising a million trees over a 10-year period.
My mother always taught me if something sounds too good to be true it normally is.
Rik Hart will not be there when the new council is elected and there is no guarantee his promise will stand.
If we are not careful, we will end up with nothing.
Rik Hart has already admitted that the deal could be changed with a new council elected.
The new trees being offered by Rik Hart will be saplings and provide no shade nor shelter or food for many years to come.
The trees at Austin Butler are the last remaining shade trees in Woy Woy.
We must save them and show Rik Hart and the council that our environment matters and that we will defend it.
Council will do what is best for Council and Woolworths will do what is best for Woolworths.
We have to make sure as residents of this beautiful community that we stand together and do what is best for the environment we live in.
SOURCE:
Email, 24 Aug 2023
Joanne Roberts, Blackwall