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Friday May 24, 2013

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Lygon Street tree debate gets pollinical

Posted by: Ellen Feely | 19 November, 2012 - 10:38 AM
Hayfever.

Lygon Street business owners are fed with the pollen problem from local Plane trees, which they believe is getting up customers' noses.

Speaking with Neil Mitchell, Fab Succi, owner of Tiamo, said traders were leading a petition to get the City of Melbourne to intervene.

"We've lived for so many years with these trees and we would hate for them to go, but what do we do, risk people's health or put up with it?” he said.

"We would hate to see (them removed), but if someone has a better idea or solution we'd be more than happy to hear from them."

Mr Succi said his staff and customers were affected by the ‘itchy powder’ the trees were producing.

"It often gets stuck at the back of your throat and up your nose," he said.

"A lot of customers and workers come in coughing quite violently.

"We're seeing a lot more allergies developing, and I'm not saying the trees are the problem, but if you do have some form of allergy, if you come to Lygon Street you're bound to be affected by it."

Mr Succi said that while there had been no immediate noticeable affect to his business, it was likely to cost him money within time.

"We're not seeing the effect now, but I'm sure a lot of people would maybe rather go somewhere else than sit outside and enjoy a beautiful meal,” he said.

Mr Succi said it appeared the trees had not been pruned for a while.

LISTEN: Fab Succi speaks with Neil Mitchell:

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Blog comments Your Say

  • Traders and customers are not whingers - you do not have to sit outside to be affected. All you need to do is walk anywhere in the street, as they get stuck in your throat. Noboday has said to cut the trees down -they just want a solution. I don't think that there is a lot to ask especially after paying the high rates that City of Melbourne charges due to the value of the properties, which are not necessarily owned by the people that run the business. These trees are not local - they should never have been planted in Australia, and certainly not on footpaths as they too big and are actually damaging the properties with their large roots. I don't suffer any allergies, but I have had the misfortune of choking on a number of occasions and let me tell you it is not a pleasant feeling. Maybe all the people that can't see a problem should take a walk down Lygon Street and have first hand experience.

    Connie Paglianiti Wednesday 21 November, 2012 - 8:01 PM

  • All the guys that eat outside are chainsmokers anyway. If they can still smell the pollen they should consider themselves lucky :p

    mylene Wednesday 21 November, 2012 - 10:36 AM

  • Cut the trees down I say...replace them with umbrellas. Who wants trees anyway.
    They add nothing to the money the restaurants make so why have them locally.

    Pat Monday 19 November, 2012 - 6:26 PM

  • What a pack of wingers don't sit outside that's pretty simple and buy a packet of Demazin what a joke

    poptart Monday 19 November, 2012 - 6:16 PM

  • Where do I sign? And not just Lygon street - all of Melbourne CBD. We definitely need trees, but they need to be replaced with something that doesn't induce hayfever, asthma and other eye and throat irritation!

    Kylie Monday 19 November, 2012 - 3:38 PM

  • I would not go to there without the trees.
    It is what makes the street and makes the whole experience.
    Fixing any problems with the trees makes a lot of sense though.

    Stuart Brown Monday 19 November, 2012 - 1:25 PM

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