There has been some recent media reports on residents’ concerns about the removal of two trees on corner of Alphington Street and Park Crescent as a result of gas maintenance works carried out by the APA Group. 

We would like to share with you some information on the planned tree removal and Council’s involvement.

APA Group, a private energy infrastructure company is needing to remove two trees as part of maintenance works on gas lines in Alphington.

The maintenance works are essential, as failure to repair the gas lines (which are at risk of corrosion) would put thousands of household’s gas supply at risk. 

The APA Group operates under specific legislation (Pipelines Act 2005). 

APA Group require no authority from Council to undertake the removal of the trees, as the APA Group do not sit within Council's jurisdiction. This means that Council is not required to issue planning permits or tree removal permits for these gasworks conducted by the APA Group. 

Earlier this year, after listening to residents’ concerns, Council contacted the APA group to suggest alternative ways to conduct their maintenance works in order to avoid the removal of trees. 

However, APA Group have assessed these alternatives as unfeasible and are proceeding with the removal of two trees as part of their gas works.  

Council has limited influence to change the way APA Group conducts their gas works. We are however, encouraging APA Group to discuss any concerns with residents.

The maintenance gas works are scheduled to start on Thursday 20 September 2018 and will take approximately one week to complete.  

If you have any questions about the gas works, please contact the APA Group.