Please help save the Historic Black Hill pine plantation at Black Hill Swimming Pool. These trees represent some of the tallest and healthiest of the original historic planting by school children in the 1910's and onwards for the "beautification of the locality."

The Ballarat city council has suddenly decided without community consultation to "harvest" the entire plantation after decades of neglect, they claim the trees are unsafe and have reached the end of their useful life but they have created the problems themselves by failing to upkeep and remove trees that are genuinely in need of removal. The vast majority of over 250 trees are strong, upright and healthy. They also provide a plethora of benefits to the local community:

• Provide a picturesque backdrop to Black Hill Pool and local residents.
• Local schools and craft groups regularly collect pine cones from the trees for craft and art projects.
• An important wildlife habitat in the Black Hill area. Throughout the year countless native birds and animals use these trees including Kookaburras, Sulphur-crested cockatoos, Corellas, Rosellas, Ducks and Herons. These are just some of the animals regularly found in and around the vicinity of the plantation.
• Kookaburras are heard in the plantation multiple times per week every spring and summer. 
• Regularly seeing and hearing the abundance of wildlife these trees attract provides great mental health benefits and happiness to the local residents. 
• A great place for locals to take photos of wildlife.
• A great place to walk dogs and enjoy nature.
• Offers shade to the Black Hill Pool during late afternoon which is the hottest part of the day.
• Acts as a windbreak to Black Hill Pool during hot and windy summer days. 
• Prevents erosion and soil being washed into the Black Hill Pool and prevents stagnant water pooling
• Provides a sound barrier to surrounding residents during pool operation.
• Provides a privacy barrier to both the Black Hill Pool and Black Hill Primary School.

I am asking the council to immediately cease plans to harvest Black Hill Historic Pine Plantation so that proper and genuine community consultation can take place. An alternative solution that addresses safety concerns while maintaining the amenity the Black Hill Historic Pine Plantation provides the community should be obtainable.