In the leafy suburb of Mont Albert in Melbourne's inner east, a towering hedge that had stood sentinel for 116 years became the center of a three-year-long dispute that has left a couple with a hefty $50,000 bill and a feeling of emptiness where a piece of living history once grew.

Guranathan Ganeson and his wife, the owners of the property graced by the historic hedge, were faced with a difficult decision after the Whitehorse City Council deemed the four-metre-tall plant a significant obstruction to the footpath. The council had received several complaints, and the Ganesons were presented with two options: pay $6,500 to extend the public footpath around the hedge or cut down the plant.

The couple, feeling cornered by the council's demands and fearing ongoing issues, chose the latter. 'The hurdles set by [the] council was getting [more] difficult and difficult,' Guranathan told 9News. 'There was no guarantee that the council wouldn't come back if the hedge started growing and giving us more work to do.'

Guranathan Ganeson and his wife were told to either pay for a footpath extension or cut down their century-old hedge due to obstruction. Credit: Facebook / 9 News Melbourne

The decision to cut down the hedge was not taken lightly. The Ganesons knew that removing such a significant feature from their property would change the character of their home and the streetscape. Yet, in just four hours, professional gardeners reduced the century-old hedge to mere sticks, leaving the property exposed and the owners feeling the loss deeply.

'It feels empty. It feels that something that belongs there is not there anymore,' Guranathan said, reflecting on the stark transformation of their front yard.

The financial toll of this hedge war is substantial. The removal of the hedge cost $3,500, and that was just the beginning. The couple also had to pay $2,500 for the current fence removal, a $500 fence planning permit, and a staggering $27,000 for a new fence, among other additional costs. Guranathan estimates that by the end of this ordeal, they will have spent around $50,000.

This story serves as a cautionary tale for homeowners who might find themselves in a similar situation. Guranathan's advice to others is to 'look at the situation and just try to work it out like normal human beings.'

The Whitehorse City Council has been contacted for comment on the matter, but the broader implications of this story resonate with many. It raises questions about the balance between preserving heritage and accommodating modern urban needs, the rights of property owners versus community standards, and the financial and emotional cost of bureaucratic processes.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this story might hit close to home. Many of you have nurtured gardens and plants for decades, creating sanctuaries that not only beautify your homes but also contribute to the local ecosystem and community character. It's a reminder to stay informed about local council regulations and to engage with community planning processes.

Key Takeaways

• Guranathan Ganeson and his wife were told to either pay for the footpath to be extended or cut down their century-old hedge due to it causing obstruction.
• They chose to cut down the hedge as they feared future issues with the council if the hedge grew back.
• The removal and forthcoming maintenance of the hedge and property will cost the couple approximately $50,000.
• The Ganesons feel the loss of the hedge deeply and advise others to deal with similar situations amicably.

Have you ever faced a similar situation with your council or local government? How did you handle it, and what advice would you give to others? Share your stories and tips in the comments below – your experience could be invaluable to someone facing their own 'hedge war.'

 

[mylittletibbies]

Seems a completely ridiculous situation to me.
Why couldn't the hedge just be trimmed, that's what you usually do to a hedge to keep it under control.

 

[Scaveola]

Seems a completely ridiculous situation to me.
Why couldn't the hedge just be trimmed, that's what you usually do to a hedge to keep it under control.

My thoughts exactly. if it was sticking out onto the footpath it could have been reduced and kept trimmed for a lot less than $50,000! Some people just hate plants. My partner had a lovely old pink and white camellia on his footpath, a street tree. His awful neighbour, who was continually feuding with him, (including trying to burn my partner's boat) complained to the council about the plant and it was cut down. I believe it was a heritage variety. But amazingly after several years the spot has new camellia shoots. And my partner has nice new neighbours.