Time for tree policy is now

It was interesting to note in the Peninsula News (May 15) that there is still a difference between the former Wyong and Gosford Councils, regarding their dune care plans.

There is another very important difference between these two former Councils and that is regarding their tree policies.

About 18 months ago Wyong Council weakened its tree policy to enable people, without Council consent, to remove trees which they thought dangerous.

I'm sure it doesn't take much imagination to know what happened.

The noise of chainsaws was deafening.

I can only hope that many people now enjoy sand in their sandwiches; feel the full force of the southerlies and endure very hot summers without any shade as well as watching their land erode from our heavy storms.

As I am constantly repeating, if we all look in our bags, wardrobes, pockets, fridges, sheds etc, there is nothing we have which hasn't come from the environment.

We as mammals are only part of that environment, a part of the wonderful bio-diversity which still exists in parts of Australia.

We supposedly have brains and are able to communicate, which sets us apart but does it mean that we can trash that environment?

It is the only one we have.

If we would use that intelligence, we would acknowledge that life without trees would be impoverished, for trees provide us our houses and furniture; they help to give us oxygen, shelter from winds and boiling sun.

They help us to control our pollution and salinity problems.

They help to prevent erosion, support wildlife habitat and maintain our rainfall.

They were here on this planet long before the first apes appeared.

People coming into Gosford exclaim at the natural beauty.

Most of the ridges are still green.

After all, why would you build on a ridge when fire races uphill?

Aborigines used these ridges as fire breaks to encourage new, fresh grass which encouraged the wallabies etc, and for some good hunting.

We still are fortunate to have our wildlife corridors as at Rumbalara; our COSS Lands, Coastal Open Space System, which surely should now be extended into what was Wyong Council, in order to make the Central Coast Council area unique.

However, trees are still being felled in enormous numbers.

We need to replace them by planting more and more.

A single, large tree by itself, is more vulnerable than a stand of large trees.

If you are really concerned about the safety of a large tree on your property, then hire a qualified arborist, with a Grade 5 Certificate.

This arborist will be able to advise about the real safety of your trees and you may well find that with the removal of just one limb your tree is still safe and can continue to do its job.

Why is it that people are attracted by our natural beauty, but as soon as they arrive they want to change it?

Even though it is difficult, we must learn to live with the environment as it is; to fit into it.

After all we are only a part of it.

I am very concerned that the former Gosford Council area will sink to the lowly levels of the old Wyong Council, if we do not develop a tree policy for the whole of the Central Coast Council area now.

A tree policy is too important to leave until September when elected, supposed representatives, arrive in power.

Climate change is well and truly here to all who can see and so a tree policy is even more important.

It is essential that a tree policy is developed for the Central Coast Council now.

Email, 5 Jun 2017

Margaret Lund, Woy Woy Bay