Property Management Update September

Our tree management program includes an annual assessment of the health and structural integrity of all trees on the site. We engage qualified, independent arborists to assess which trees are at risk of dropping limbs over the next 12 months. It’s important for the safety of people and neighbouring properties as well as for staff and any contractors who are maintaining the site. These trees are recorded and a risk rating applied, then if necessary we liaise with Kingston Council officers to manage approvals for either the lopping or removal of potential dangers.

In the recent weeks we have had some limbs drop, one of which was on the fence of a neighbour so this work is very important.

We recently received a Council permit to support the pruning of a number of at-risk trees. In the coming weeks, neighbours may observe some of the pruning works in progress around the property, including the use of elevated work platforms and chain saws.

Neighbours that are directly impacted have been written to so they have the information they need whilst these works are carried out.

Council has decided to put all remaining tree permit applications on exhibition for community feedback. If you are an impacted neighbor, this will be your opportunity to share your views with Council.

To keep the site safe, we expect that further tree maintenance will be required in coming months. Before we do any work, we will seek permission from Council. Once received, we will initiate any work strictly in accordance with the conditions of any permits. Directly affected neighbours will be notified and others may observe some of the works in progress around the property, including the use of elevated work platforms and chain saws.

The site management team is initiating a tree replacement program. For all the trees that have been removed over the past 12 months, replacement trees will be planted around the property in accordance with Council permit conditions.

All replacement trees are native and suited to the local climate conditions. Species include the Rough-barked Manna Gums, Saw Banksias, Narrow-leaf Peppermints, Messmate Stringybarks, River Red Gums, Swamp Gums, and Coast Manna Gums.

Grass, weeds and shrubs are also monitored carefully to prevent unwanted spread. We are particularly focused on vegetation along the site boundary where it can affect our neighbours.

Now we are coming into the peak growing season for grass and weeds. An approved herbicide treatment will be applied by spraying boundaries and former rough areas to ensure grasses (and particularly noxious weeds) do not seed and spread.

Neighbours wanting to know more about this can contact the site manager Guthrie Boyd on 0411 049 685, or contact us at enquiries@dingleyvillage3172.com.au

As a result of historical land uses, the site is very different to its native state. The former fairways and greens of the golf course are dominated by exotic grass species and only scattered remnants of native vegetation remain (totaling about 1.3 hectares or just 2 per cent of the overall site’s area).

Ecological assessments of the property’s flora have recorded no nationally significant or state significant flora species on the site, nor was any suitable habitat considered present due to the highly modified condition of the property. Ecological assessments of the property’s fauna identified only one migratory fauna species of national significance that may occasionally forage in and around the property.

Despite this we know that the trees on the site provide habitat for local birds and animals and during this period we’ll continue to manage and maintain them so the site is safe for neighbours and staff.