Residents up in arms over ongoing tree removal in green belt

GEORGE NEWS - Some residents of Heather Park are up in arms about the ongoing removal of trees along the green belt between the western boundary of the George Golf Club and the suburb.

Four people speaking on behalf of the other affected residents have sent a written request to their ward councillor, Erika Brown, for an immediate suspension of the tree felling until such time when documentary evidence is provided that all legal and environmental approvals that might be required are in place.

The green belt stretches from Langenhoven Road to the Kingswood boundary fence.

The group said indigenous trees might be among those being felled, yet no qualified arborist had been noticed on the site for identifying and tagging protected species before the work started. Since the work is taking place in an ecologically sensitive urban corridor, protection may be applicable under various pieces of legislation or frameworks, including the National Environ-mental Management Act (Nema), the National Forests Act, the Western Cape Biodiversity Spatial Plan and the George Municipal Spatial Development Framework.

"We would like George Municipality to provide public transparency by sharing the approved EIA [environmental impact assessment], contractor mandate, and specific scope of work for this project," the group said.

Responding to the newspaper's query, George Municipality said the work in the green belt is part of storm damage clean-up operations after the severe weather event of 11 May when numerous trees on this property, including pine and gum trees, were uprooted or severely damaged.

An inspection by municipal officials has confirmed that no indigenous trees were removed - only branches that had already broken off indigenous trees due to the storm. "The contractor undertaking the work is an experienced company specialising in alien vegetation clearing and tree removal," said the municipality.

There is huge concern about the large number of trees that were felled. Photo: Supplied

The appointed contractor has been authorised only to remove pine and gum trees that had already fallen or have become unsafe due to the storm damages. In terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Nemba), alien invasive species such as pine and gum trees may be removed from riparian zones without the need for an EIA.

The municipality said while an arborist is not required for the removal of alien invasive species, they remain responsible for protecting the environment and therefore actively monitor work on municipal property to ensure that no unnecessary environmental damage occurs.

Very large trees were felled. Photo: Supplied