A decision by the Orange City Council on December 2 could significantly impact a local business as it approved the removal of a tree partially obstructing the driveway of a residence at 130 McLachlan Street. The council voted six to four in favor of the motion proposed by Cr Kevin Duffy, who emphasized the importance of the council’s integrity in addressing the issue.
During the council meeting, Cr Duffy argued that leaving the tree in place would suggest a lack of common sense from the council. He stated, “Leaving the tree there sends a clear message that council doesn’t endorse common sense.” The resident of the property has lived there since 1983, although the tree is believed to have been planted prior to her arrival.
Despite the resident’s request for the tree’s removal, the Orange City Council had previously offered alternative solutions. These included installing mirrors or modifying the driveway to facilitate safer access. However, the resident declined these proposals on multiple occasions.
Cr Mel McDonell voiced her opposition to the tree’s removal, highlighting the cost of approximately $10,500 for the operation. She praised the council’s staff for their repeated attempts to ensure safety and criticized the debate over the issue as a “waste of time” and resources.
The discussion took an unexpected turn when Scott Maunder, the acting director of technical services, revealed that the budget for addressing “problem trees” in Orange had already been allocated. He noted that priority was being given to trees that caused significant damage to infrastructure, such as one located outside Morris Motorcycles.
When asked by Cr Frances Kinghorne whether the tree at 130 McLachlan Street could be added to the list for removal, Maunder explained the constraints of the budget. “We could swap and not do Morris, but we think we need to do that work. We don’t have sufficient budget to do both,” he stated. “The budget that’s been allocated doesn’t allow me to remove both of those trees. I could remove one or the other.”
The vote confirmed that the tree obstructing the driveway will be removed, but the timeline for this action remains uncertain. Furthermore, there is no clarity regarding whether the tree outside Morris Motorcycles will also be cleared within the current financial year.
The outcome leaves questions regarding the implications for local businesses, particularly those like Morris Motorcycles, which may be impacted by the decision to prioritize tree removals based on budget constraints. As the council continues to navigate these complex issues, the focus remains on balancing community needs with fiscal responsibility.
