By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
CASEY council is to pursue a prosecution after a four-month investigation into the illegal lopping of tall, mature gum trees at the former Doveton Secondary College.
The council’s planning manager Duncan Turner said that the matter would be referred to Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
A neighbour had reported the destruction at 64 Box Street, Doveton, with several trees fronting Ficifolia Drive turned to stumps.
The council specifically requires developments at the site to incorporate any significant native vegetation in the design.
It must maintain the “long-term, sustainable health and condition of existing vegetation” and avoid the dripline of any retained river red gum trees.
Any tree removal would also require a council permit.
The council and a “very concerned” Education Department confirmed in May that neither gave permission to remove the trees and other vegetation.
Neither Casey nor the Education Department would disclose the identity of the purchaser who bought the 58,000 square-metre site for $10.6 million in 2014.
The site – earmarked by the council for medium-density housing – was still Crown land in May because the purchase had not yet settled.
Prior to its sale, the former campus was promoted as a residential development opportunity with four street frontages, adjoining parkland and a nearby golfcourse.
