What a shame: Antonietta Pasqualini and her grand daughter Laila in front of the recently cut tree. Picture: Wesley Lonergan
FAIRFIELD East resident Daniella Pasqualini says she is appalled after a mature tree at the front of her house was "butchered" rather than trimmed.
Endeavour Energy contractors cut the tree on Victory Street to keep it away from power lines.
"They have been cutting it for years and they trim it nicely but this time they butchered it to such a degree that I don't think it will survive," Ms Pasqualini said.
"I'm heartbroken. This tree is 35 years old.
"It's a beautiful eucalyptus gum tree and it's home to a lot of birds.
"It has been part of the family for a long time, so it is heartbreaking.
"I suspect they're cutting costs.
"It's just really unnecessary and I don't see the justification for it."
Ms Pasqualini is facing another disappointment. The tree would have to be removed for safety reasons, an Endeavour Energy spokesman told the Fairfield Champion.
An upset Ms Pasqualini emailed Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone last week expressing her concern.
He replied saying the council agreed with her but was powerless.
"The council has had meetings with the service provider and we've made representations to the state government because that's their responsibility," he said.
"We are not empowered to do anything about it."
An Endeavour Energy spokesman apologised for the tree cutting and said it was the result of the large tree being planted directly under power lines.
"To maintain the safety and reliability of our network, we typically need two metres clearance between trees and our network," he said.
The spokesman said Endeavour Energy was proposing to remove the tree to allow a more suitable alternative to be planted.
"We are dealing with live electricity and safety must always be our first priority," he said.
"It is regrettably not always possible to maintain the aesthetics of large trees and achieve the required safety clearances from our network."