RESIDENTS of a Horsham Street have petitioned Horsham Rural City Council to replace numerous plane trees with a species that drops fewer leaves and causes less root damage.
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17 residents have now signed the petition calling for changes on Withell Street and McTavish Boulevard in Southbank to address current and future issues.
McTavish Boulevard resident Phillip Norman, who has acted on behalf of the residents who signed the petition, said the leaf litter was too much for some to handle.
“They’re great big leaves. Adam and Eve would be proud of them,” he said.
“Some leaves fall down and just stay there. These ones are like paper and blow around in the wind.”
The petition acknowledged that the trees were attractive but stated the root systems on the fast-growing plane trees were intruding under footpaths and front gardens.
“If the roots continue to grow they will devalue our properties and make them harder to sell,” Mr Norman said.
The petition asked for the trees to be removed and replaced with an evergreen, medium-growth species.
“There a plenty of lovely native flowering gums available,” Mr Norman said.
Horsham Rural City councillors have voted to accept the petition but would like to see all residents consulted, including those that did not sign the petition.
Mr Norman said only five residents decided not to sign, including one woman who did not feel strongly either way.