2016-08-18
Ms DUNN (Eastern Metropolitan) — On too many occasions over 2016 the actions of this government have led to the unnecessary removal of trees. The collateral damage is racking up, including the lemon-scented gum on Flemington Road, which has gone for the CityLink-Tulla widening project. For the elevated rail project, hundreds of trees have been cleared or will be cleared with sparing or no information shared with locals in communities that value these trees. The Blackburn grade separation has seen trees on private property slated for the chainsaw. For the Western Highway duplication there is the bulldozing of large old trees and very large old trees, far more than even estimated in VicRoads's dubious environmental — —
Honourable members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT — Order! Ms Dunn, from the top. Thank you.
Ms DUNN — Thank you, President. On too many occasions over 2016 the actions of this government have led to the unnecessary removal of trees. The collateral damage is racking up. The lemon-scented gum on Flemington Road has gone for the CityLink-Tulla widening project. The elevated rail project has seen hundreds of trees cleared and plans for further trees to be removed, with sparing or no information shared with locals in communities that value these trees. The Blackburn grade separation has seen trees on private property slated for the chainsaw. The Western Highway duplication has seen the bulldozing of large old trees and very large old trees, far more than even estimated in VicRoads's dubious environmental impact assessments.
My office has received dozens of complaints about tree removals on major infrastructure projects. Community members are angry that they are not adequately consulted, that there is insufficient information about the tree removals up-front and that state authorities, such as the Level Crossing Removal Authority and VicRoads, do not provide answers or stymie inquiries until after the trees in question are gone.
Why is tree removal the standard practice instead of the last resort? Why are alternative alignments for transport infrastructure not considered to save these significant trees? Why is the weighting and value of a tree so low even though it may provide irreplaceable amenity and rare habitat and is part of the fabric of a community? Too frequently the removal of trees is done with little regard for alternatives. A distinction needs to be made between needless tree removal and absolutely necessary tree removal. Over the past 12 months when it comes to infrastructure projects in Victoria, needlessness has reigned.