Severe, destructive pruning and removal of mature, healthy street and reserve trees is continuing across the Mornington Peninsula.

This now includes the removal of two gum trees at Olympic Park, Rosebud- known magpie nesting trees. A lot of this vegetation removal happened immediately prior to forecast extreme heat days, as per my last update.

These actions raise serious concerns about oversight, wildlife protection, urban heat resilience, and the cumulative loss of tree canopy under long-term outsourced maintenance contracts.

Once mature trees are gone, they cannot be replaced in our lifetime. 

Without strong council oversight, this becomes a systemic stripping of green infrastructure.

I am asking residents to write to Council and relevant representatives calling for:

 • an immediate pause on non-essential tree removals

 • independent arborist and ecological assessments

 • protection of habitat and nesting trees

 • transparency and community oversight of vegetation contracts

Please contact :

Mornington Peninsula Shire

• CEO - Mark Stoerme via customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au

 • Mayor, Councillor Anthony Marsh

Phone: 0438 435 857

anthony.marsh@mornpen.vic.gov.au

 • All Councillors or your ward councillor - email addresses and phone numbers found here:

https://www.mornpen.vic.gov.au/About-Us/About-Our-Council/Our-Councillors

Tip: CC multiple recipients in one email so concerns are shared transparently.

 • Local State MPs

Chris Crewther MP

chris.crewther@parliament.vic.gov.au 

Sam Groth MP

sam.groth@parliament.vic.gov.au 

 • Victorian Minister for Environment- 

Steve Dimopoulos MP

Phone: (03) 8624 3101 Email: reception.dimopoulos@deeca.vic.gov.au

Here is template letter you can copy & send 

Subject: Urgent concern regarding street and reserve tree removals

Dear [Recipient],

I am writing as a resident/community member to express serious concern about recent severe pruning and removal of mature, healthy street and reserve trees across the Mornington Peninsula, including the removal of known magpie nesting trees, immediately prior to forecast extreme heat events.

These actions raise questions about Council oversight of outsourced vegetation management contracts, the use of independent arborist and ecological assessments, and the protection of wildlife habitat and urban canopy during a period of increasing heat and climate stress.

Mature trees are critical public assets. Their cumulative loss has lasting impacts on biodiversity, heat mitigation, and community wellbeing.

I respectfully call on Council to pause non-essential tree removals, ensure independent assessments are undertaken, and provide transparency around decision-making processes and contractor oversight.

I ask that the precautionary principle be applied, particularly where habitat or nesting trees are involved.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Suburb]