A resident of Morningside Manor was angered when she woke up to the sound of neighbours cutting municipal trees on the pavement outside their home in Ridgeway Drive.
Darina Mitas said she walked to the corner of Ridgeway Drive and Stuart Avenue to see people hacking away at olive trees owned by City Parks.
“I asked them if they have a permit to cut these trees and they said yes, but it’s a lie because you can’t get a permit to cut these trees. The trees that had been growing for almost 30 years were totally annihilated,” said Mitas.
When Mitas questioned the people giving orders to the labourers, they said that they wanted to cut the olive trees so that their palm trees could be more clearly visible from the road.
“People should not just do what they think they are allowed to do with the trees. City Parks are the department looking after those trees. I want people to be aware that they can’t just take public trees out for their own pleasure,” said Mitas.
Mitas attempted to call the Metro police and received no response. She then reported the issue to ward councillor Werner Smit.
Smit said, “Residents must refrain from illegally removing, felling or pruning trees. Failing to comply will result in legal action and hefty fines being imposed. Transgressors will also be obligated to replace trees and be liable to replant street trees of the same size, species, and value.”
According to Smit, bylaws state that no person may disturb, damage, destroy or remove any tree, shrub or other vegetation within a public open space.
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