Some of the owners in my building have been cutting trees in the building since a few days now. There are quite a few trees in the garden plus a few very adjacent to the building. They have just started cutting them down one by one (so far 8) and I don't know why. When I asked them, they said "coz it doesn't look good". I mean WT..! I am sure they would have got approvals from other owners coz I didn't see anyone objecting. I can't complain because I am just a tenant (or can I?) Is there anything I can do to save the trees? Especially when summer has just started. The ambience of the surroundings was really good.
Owners cutting trees in and around the building
Cyberninja on 17/10/2016 - 17:50
Comments
I can guarantee in this particular case it was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
But the body corporate could have already agreed, there is no way you are going to know as a tenant. So dont be a hero, dont get involved.
Not trying to be a hero. :) Just wanted to know if I could do anything about it.
I'd be gutted if I was in your position, I just love the trees we have.
Tenants have plenty of rights and it's certainly worth following up mate.
Perhaps the contact the Landlord/Bodycorp/council. I'd imagine they would need permission for such an activity.
it is already done, nothing you do now is going to help the situation. Move on and go hug a tree on the verge.
Are the trees obstructing views? there's been some cases where trees have been cut down for that purpose and council erected a large scaffold to be placed there until trees reached the same heights as the ones removed
Speak to strata but it's probably allowed and would raise the price of the property
Are these trees obstructing views?
Not at all. The trees were quite tall, I think more than 10 meters.
How big are the trees? Here in Victoria you need a permit to cut down anything that is over 35cm in diameter at the base of the trunk.
Quite tall, at least 10m.
Those are some substantial trees. I'd take a guess and say they'd be protected if they're greater than x meters from the building envelope or fence. You could try checking with council. Most councils have a requirement to get a permit to cut down anything substantial (substantial is defined differently between councils).
I don't know what you're area is like but in my council area they have a website that shows all permits. Can quickly check if they a) required a permit and b) got a permit to undertake the work.
Contact your local council, but I reckon they wouldn't do a jackshit either.
Are they undertaking landscaping though? I cut a heap of trees down on my property. Got a complaint to council who came around and issued a warning. I cut down a heap of old declared pest trees and some dead looking shrubs. I replaced it all with a more landscaped garden and large sandstone retaining wall. People just needed to wait and see the final product before complaining. Yard looked like a mess for about 6 months until it was done.
So someone snitched on you while you were legitimate?
Yeah. Although, we have someone who loves to complain. My neighbour has a welder and he was fixing his mates trailer in their front yard. Council came around and said someone had made a complaint that he was operating a mechanical workshop/business out of his residence.
It's crazy, we're not in a gated community or anything either. Just a normal dead end street.
He should have welded a chain accross the complainers drive way.
The ambience of the surroundings was really good.
yep. then autumn comes around and rotten leaves starts flying everywhere. we did our neighbours a solid and wood chipped all of them.
Don't bet on it. Contact the owners.