Keep the tree canopy

On Woy Woy Peninsula, I am seeing massive homes dwarfing their neighbours, blocking the breeze, view and sunlight. I see villas squeezed together, surrounded by concrete.

When the builders have finished, it is not only the old house that has gone, so too has the natural watercourse, the land's ability to absorb the rain. Gone too is the canopy of mature trees that as well as shading the house also greened the neighbourhood and provided its charm.

Because houses and villas now occupy an entire building site it seems it is acceptable to denude every site of its trees. Please let's have a Tree Preservation Policy with some teeth.

For example, lift the minimum fine for tree removal without council approval to at least $300,000. Where it is essential to remove a tree then have a significant amount, say $10,000, which is refunded when it (the replacement tree) has survived five years.

The tree canopy on the Peninsula is the significant difference between the Peninsula and most Sydney suburbs. Registering with council the historic/rare trees on our property and encouraging neighbours to do likewise provides some hope that some trees might remain.

Resident action groups in Ku-ring-gai have successfully opposed aspects of urban consolidation.

SJ Drake, Woy Woy