Angry neighbours of the Glen Innes Anglican Church have complained to council about tree lopping works within church grounds.
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Neighbours of the church say the council has disobeyed its own local environment plan.
Deputy Mayor Carol Sparks responded to the complaint of the neighbours and said she will investigate the matter further.
“I attended the site after a request from a neighbour and I am surprised at the lack of consideration for the neighbours from the church,” she said.
“I would have thought the church as a courtesy would inform their neighbours of the removal of the trees.”
The church contracted a local tree lopping firm to remove a tree on their property they claim is dangerous due to its age.
Tree lopping contractor Steve Grant said the tree is on private property and the owners asked for it to be removed.
“The works on this tree seem to be causing a bit of controversy but it has nothing to do with council as the tree is owned by the church group,” he said.
“They have asked us to remove this tree because they believe it is a hazard and it is dangerous to the public.
“The tree is a ribbon gum and they have a life span of about 35 years and I would estimate it is close to that age and it has dead limbs which have started to drop hence the concern from the church about safety.”
Mr Grant said the tree is large and hangs over buildings that could be damaged if it were to fall.
“If it came down in a storm it would hit the church hall and that is only one of the concerns of the church group, so that is why we are cutting it down,” he said.
“I am sure there would be more controversy if a limb were to fall and hit someone, we are trying to prevent that happening.”
Anglican Church Glen Innes’ Rev David Robinson said they engaged a tree lopper because they were concerned about safety.
“We decided to get it chopped down before it fell on anybody or anything and it is as simple as that,” he said.
The church was concerned about safety, so we decided to get the tree chopped down before it fell on anybody or anything and it is as simple as that
- Rev David Robinson