Locals fighting to save massive gum tree from Strathalbyn Rd widening project

A project to widen a major Hills road may mean the end for a massive old gum tree – with locals sending a message to the Transport Minister.

A 100-year-old tree’s fate is “hanging in the balance” as Adelaide Hills locals fight to save it from a road safety upgrade.

The 33m tree – which locals say acts as a bridge for hungry koalas – was to be felled for the widening of Strathalbyn Rd, part of a $150m Hills road safety project.

Major roads are being upgraded and widened, requiring trees to be cut down or trimmed for safety reasons.

The tree was temporarily saved while Department of Infrastructure and Transport officials checked suggestions it was a rare kind of blue gum.

Locals have now graffitied it with “hands off our trees Tom”, in references to Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis, whose office referred The Advertiser to the department.

Adelaide Hills residents are fighting the Transport Department to save this tree along Strathalbyn Rd. Picture: Supplied

The road has already been widened around the tree. Picture: Supplied

Department CEO Jon Whelan said arborists had confirmed the tree was not rare and a red gum.

Hahndorf resident Ann Fordham said the tree has a 4m girth, was likely at least a century old and should be protected.

“I almost think it was a mistake – you’re virtually driving into the tree, I don’t imagine that was done purposefully,” Ms Fordham said.

“They could have gone just a little the other way – otherwise why didn’t they remove the tree beforehand?”

Her local River Rd action group engaged a retired engineer, who believes the road be easily widened on the other side for around $50,000 extra, as has been done in Echunga to save trees there.

Mr Whelan said that would mean a group of younger trees where koalas were seen would likely need to go.

“If I was cutting the trees on the other side … well, I don’t want to be on the front page of The Advertiser like Kangaroo Island,” Mr Whelan said, referring to shocking footage of koalas falling from trees being felled by loggers.

The tree before the road-widening project along Strathalbyn Rd. Picture: Supplied

He said $50,000 would likely pay for the traffic control alone.

“I don’t want to be disrespectful to old engineers, but when I was building overtaking lanes many years ago you could get them for under $1m, today it’s $10m,” he said.

“I don't want to cut it down but there’s a balance. If someone runs into that tree and loses their life, we’re having a different conversation.”

Mr Whelan said he’d received “no new information” that would save the tree, but intended to speak with local mayors before a final decision.

Ms Fordham – at the forefront of attempts to stop heavy vehicles being redirected down narrow River Rd instead of Hahndorf’s main street – said residents had agreed to losing seven of eight trees for the road widening.

“It’s not like we haven’t agreed on something,” she said.

The groups have agreed that should the be tree be taken down, its seeds will be collected for replanting and its wood saved for reuse.