September 3rd 2024.
Residents living on a quaint street in Melbourne have recently faced a tough decision. The century-old hedge that has been a beloved feature in their front yards needed to be trimmed back to comply with local council regulations. Homeowner Guranathan Ganeson, who resides in Mont Albert, was given the ultimatum to either pay for an extension of the footpath or chop down the hedge to sticks. After three years of battling over the issue with the Whitehorse City Council, the Ganesons reluctantly chose the latter option.
The decision did not come easy for the Ganesons as they had been paying for professional maintenance of the hedge three times a year, costing them a significant amount of money. The couple expressed their sadness over the loss of the beloved feature, stating that their front yard now feels empty without it. Guranathan Ganeson, in an interview with 9News, shared his disappointment, "It feels empty. It feels that something that belongs there is not there anymore." The hedge has been the subject of multiple complaints over the past year, with the council claiming it was obstructing the footpath and breaching local laws.
The cost of maintaining the hedge according to the council's orders could potentially reach $50,000, which Ganeson believes is a ridiculous amount. "By the time this joke is finished, it's costing us $50,000," he stated. The couple was given the option to pay about $6500 for the footpath extension, which they felt was a small amount in comparison to the total cost of maintaining the hedge. Ganeson also expressed concern that the council may come back with more demands if the hedge were to grow again.
Fellow homeowner Lynne, who resides just around the corner, decided to pay for the footpath extension to avoid having to cut down her hedge. She shared her reasoning, stating, "We felt that we came out ahead – the hedge is alive and happy." The issue has caused quite a stir in the neighborhood, with many residents feeling frustrated and upset over the situation. However, some have chosen to comply with the council's regulations, like Lynne, to avoid any further conflicts.
The issue has sparked a debate over the importance of maintaining beloved features in front yards versus complying with local regulations. Regardless of one's stance, it is clear that the residents of this leafy Melbourne street are passionate about their neighborhood and are willing to do what it takes to keep it looking beautiful.
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