Western Victoria Region
Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (14:28): (1672) My question for the Minister for Planning concerns the absurd situation faced by my constituent Andrew Willox who needed to remove a tree to build a shed on his property. Following instruction from Colac Otway Shire Council, Mr Willox was forced to pay a staggering $12,662.50 to remove this single tree – one tree, $12,600. It cost $1360 for permits, $5945 for a biodiversity offset, $1232 for the offset broker and $2805 for consultants yet just $880 for the actual arborist and $440 for stump grinding. That is $11,300 in bureaucracy for only $1300 of real work. These rules trample property owners’ rights and pile on red and green tape that enriches professionals while punishing landowners. Minister, when will you reform this system to bring back common sense, cut these outrageous costs and balance environmental protection with respect for property owners?