Once more without (sense) or feeling!

I've been reliably told that once again mulch was being piled up a foot high against thirsty and suffering trees in 45 degree heat! Once again, there was no watering beforehand; no drip systems; no sunken pipes down to the roots, no nothing! This is horticultural vandalism and sheer ignorance. Even when it does rain, the chances of seeping through 12 inches of bark, ground up leaves and other such matter, is nigh impossible. Again, I ask - which idiot is responsible for this? who determines when and how our parks are taken care of? why isn't clowncil investing in more water trucks rather than piling tons of dirt onto already dying trees? I've only ever seen two water trucks actually watering trees in parks in the last 5 years. Has anyone else ever observed them? Please let us know if you have.

Shoddy, shoddy, shoddy clowncil

In previous posts I have attempted to highlight the shoddy practices that are undertaken in the name of this clowncil. The sage continues. During this week, when the temperature was soaring, and we hadn't had rain for ages, two tip trucks full of mulch came along and dumped their cargo around half a dozen mature trees. Good you might say - clowncil looking after our parks and the environment! But is this really best practice? As any good gardener and they will tell you that mulching MUST BE DONE AFTER WATERING! Otherwise, all that is achieved is a thick covering which prevents any rain from getting to the roots of trees and plants. We now have mulch that is 6 inches thick doing exactly this. Why weren't the surrounds of these trees watered prior to the dumping of truckloads of mulch? Again, whose brainchild is this? Where is the logic, and the credibility? But of course - mulching on parched dry land that no-one can see under, looks as if clowncil is really doing their job well, doesn't it? Also, we can now look at clowncil 'statistics' and be told that 5 million trees have been mulched. Wonderful stuff isn't it?

Another clowncil fan!

From today's Glen Eira Leader -

CULTURE OF RESPECT

Glen Eira Council's Director of Communications, Paul Burke, statesL "when proven safety issues exist, it is the council's practice to deal with the issue rather than to discuss the issue" ("Clash over Crossing, Leader, December 23).
This rather defensive, and unfortunately common style of response from Br Burke is clearly based upon a false dichotomy. Dealing well and efficiently with issues is not incompatible with effective consultation about them. Inclusive processes are more likely to lead to better solutions and receive greater community support.
However, it does require a willingness to listen to and respect all views, and to create a culture that facilitates that.
It would be fantastic if these were to become the council's practice and it seems reasonable to expect that it should.

Bro Sheffield-Brotherton, Elsternwick.

COMMENT: There is nothing new in the above letter. Residents have for years and years been treated with this same lack of respect by Burke. The real question however, if what are this latest crop of councillors going to do about it? When letters and statements go out in their name, will they continue to remain silent? Will this silence continue to condone the sheer arrogance of Burke and the other henchmen that constitute the administration of this clowncil? These are the crucial questions that the public wants answered - not by words but by actions. A whole new raft of amendments, resolutions, etc. are required and hopefully the appointment of new officials who can deal with the public in a manner that is not adversarial, arrogant and offensive.

Water, water - going nowhere!

Incompetency and sheer waste has once again reared its ugly head in the kingdom of this clowncil. A couple of days ago I observed clowncil's 'watering truck' at work. What did the operator do, like any normal, sensible human being would? Did he get out of his truck? Did he really ensure that this precious water was being used to best effect? Of course not!!! He sat in the truck and aimed the hose at this poor suffering exhibit of nature. The result? The force of the water blasted the mulch all over the place, and the water itself ran every which way. Because there was also a slight slope, I would hazard a guess that most of the water was lost, running off into gutters. Again, I ask - who supervises? who works out the protocols and 'best practice' for these basic necessities? who is responsible for such inefficiency and wastage? how much does this bloke earn? and how much of our ratepayers' money is being 'washed down the drain' through these continual stuff ups?