Across the Mornington Peninsula, dead and weakened trees hang precariously over major roads, their overgrown branches poised to drop at any moment. Despite repeated warnings, bureaucratic red tape has left them untouched and waiting for the inevitable—a branch crashing onto oncoming traffic, potentially causing serious injury or worse.
One such case, reported by Mornington resident Barbara Jones, has become a perfect example of the endless bureaucratic shuffle that plagues local safety concerns.
Barbara first reported two dead trees on Nepean Highway, south of The Briars, via Snap, Send, Solve, expecting a swift response. Instead, she found herself trapped in a cycle of referrals and inaction.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council redirected her to VicRoads, but with no action taken, she escalated the issue to Chris Crewther, Member for Mornington, who in turn forwarded it to Melissa Horne, Minister for Roads & Safety. The trees remain untouched, and the silence continues.
Meanwhile, one large branch continues to sag lower and lower, inching toward a collision course with traffic.
A Daily Threat to School Traffic
What makes the situation even more alarming is that one of the trees is located just 200 metres from Balcombe Grammar School. School buses, parents, and students drive directly beneath it daily, oblivious to the fact that they are relying on luck to get through safely.
Barbara, who has provided clear photographic evidence, is left wondering why it takes a disaster for action to be taken.
Waiting for the Next Storm
With strong winds and storm events common on the Peninsula, residents fear it is only a matter of time before one of these overhanging branches collapses onto the highway, triggering an accident. Yet, rather than proactive maintenance, there is only silence from those responsible—a silence that will be broken only by the sound of snapping wood and screeching brakes.
Community Action Needed
Residents concerned about dangerous overhanging trees in their area are encouraged to report them via official channels and contact STPL News at [email protected].
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