A MT Martha resident has raised concerns about the Mornington Peninsula Shire’s approach to vegetation permits after two trees were removed at a property on Dominion Rd.
Two large trees were taken down from the property on the 27 November, including a 14-metre Manna Gum.
Sarah Morrow said she and her mother became concerned about the future of the vegetation on the property after noticing demolition works at the site on 26 November.
Morrow said when she passed by the following morning, she saw one of the large trees already half removed. She contacted council soon after and was informed the owners had a permit allowing both trees to be taken down.
“I just thought that tree is right on the boundary, there’s no way that it’s going to affect any building that anyone would be putting on that property,” Morrow said.
“I just get cross about those things.”
She said it was a landmark tree which formed part of the neighbourhood’s established green canopy.
“I love trees, and we’ve got a lot of good trees in Mount Martha,” Morrow said.
“And it’s one of those trees that you drive past, and you can see the canopy, and it’s used by a lot of the local animals, birds, in particular.”
A shire spokesperson confirmed the removal was carried out under an approved planning permit.
“The planning permit allows for the removal of two trees and requires the planting of 17 new trees on the site,” the spokesperson said.
Morrow said her concerns were escalated after reading the VCAT report which upheld the permit allowing the trees’ removal. She said the council’s head arborist did not object to removing the Manna Gum despite the tree appearing retainable within the proposed development. She also questioned whether the height of the tree was accurately recorded at 14 metres, and whether adequate wildlife inspection was conducted prior to works beginning.
Morrow said she will continue to keep an eye on the property as she is concerned homeowners in the area don’t follow through on their permit requirements to replant vegetation and the shire doesn’t have the resources to follow up.
“A lot of people don’t plant what they need to plant after their build has been finished,” she said.
“Our Planning Compliance officers can follow up any failure to comply with permit conditions,” the shire spokesperson said.
Morrow said the removal fits a pattern she is seeing become increasingly common in Mt Martha.
“I’m just seeing this repeated over and over again,” she said.
Morrow said she is seeing more new property owners clear vegetation before beginning construction.
“People are coming in and the first thing they do is raise the ground. Like, there’s nothing left,” she said.
“And then they put this massive, big house there that they seem to get a planning permit for. And then they put a palm tree in or a cactus plant or they concrete the front yard and put a giant garage there. And they’ve just destroyed the place that they’ve come to live, because they’re taking all the green vegetation away.”
Morrow said she is upset with the council’s overall approach to the peninsula’s natural environment and wants them to take stronger steps to help safeguard established vegetation.
First published in the Mornington News – 2 December 2025