Mont Albert homeowner faces $50,000 bill after being forced to cut down his 100-year-old hedge in three-year battle with Melbourne’s Whitehorse City Council
A Melbourne couple are facing a bill of around $50,000 after they were forced to cut down a hedge that is more than a century old.
Guranathan Ganeson and his wife were told that their four-metre-high hedge was blocking the footpath in front of their property in Mont Albert, 19km east of Melbourne’s CBD.
The Ganesons eventually gave up after a three-year battle with Whitehorse City Council, which said it had received several complaints about the hedge, which was first planted in 1908.
They could have kept the hedge if they had chosen to pay $6,500 to extend the footpath, but the Ganesons did not trust the council not to make more demands.
“The obstacles that the council has put in place are becoming increasingly difficult,” Mr Ganeson said 9News.
‘There was no guarantee that the council wouldn’t come back if the hedge grew and gave us more work.’
The magnificent hedge took 116 years to grow, but in just four hours it was cut back by professional gardeners to just a few twigs, making the house fully visible to passers-by for the first time.
“It feels empty. It feels like something that belongs there is no longer there,” Mr. Ganeson said.
A Melbourne couple are facing a bill of around $50,000 after being forced to cut down a hedge (pictured) that is more than a century old
Guranathan Ganeson (pictured) and his wife were told their four-metre-high hedge was blocking the footpath in front of their property in Mont Albert, 19km east of Melbourne’s CBD
In addition to the emotional cost, the couple has also suffered a major financial blow.
Removing the hedge cost them $3,500, the cost of removing the current fence was $2,500, the building permit for the fence was $500, a new fence cost $27,000, and other costs.
“By the time this joke is over, it will cost us $50,000,” he said.
Frustrated Mr Ganeson has called on the council to be more lenient with residents in future.
“Look at the situation and just try to get out of it like normal people do,” he said.
The hedge took 116 years to grow, but in just four hours it was reduced to little more than sticks (see photo)
In a statement, Whitehorse City Council told Channel 9 that the hedge was “contrary to local law” and did not “comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.”
‘The relevant officials of the municipality have made several attempts to work with the owner of the property to resolve the issue. They have held several meetings on site and requested quotes from various contractors to carry out the work.
“The owner of the building has rejected all proposed solutions,” the council said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Whitehorse City Council for further comment.