North East Link: 300yo Bulleen tree faces axe for interchange

Furious Bulleen locals say North East Link project managers have reneged on their promise to protect a 300-year-old tree. Here’s why the precious redgum is under threat.

Councillor Geoff Gough with the sweeping old tree. Picture: Hamish Blair

The North East Link Project has been accused of backtracking on a promise to save a famous Bulleen tree which is believed to predate European settlement, while also jumping the gun on plans to bulldoze parts of Koonung Creek Reserve.

According to the project’s environmental effects statement the tree on the corner of Manningham Rd and Bridge St will probably need to be axed.

MORE NORTH EAST LINK STORIES

UNCERTAINTY FOR BULLEEN BUSINESS COMMUNITY

YALLAMBIE FAMILY UPSET OVER PARK DEMOLITION

HEAVY TOLL REVEALED IN PROJECT’S EES

The report states the tree can’t be saved because of the alignment of the tunnel and geometry of the Manningham Rd interchange.

The well-known landmark, which is tagged on Google Maps as “historic red gum tree”, is believed to be 300 years old.

The historic redgum on the corner of Manningham Rd and Bridge St.

It’s featured on the Heritage Council Victoria website with a listing by Manningham Council which says the tree is significant because “it provides evidence of the landscape at the time of (European settlement)”.

Heide ward councillor Geoff Gough said the environmental effects statement contradicts earlier promises by project managers to keep the tree.

“It continually came up in conversations with the community and multiple times the North East Link Project said it would be protected,” he said.

“They must find engineering solutions to keep it, it’s a valued icon in the community.”

Koonung Creek Reserve walker Helen Tsoutsouvas said she recently saw trees in the park marked with pink paint, likely indicating they were to be removed.

Ms Tsoutsouvas said to start planning clearing before the deadline for park users to make a submission to the project’s environmental effects statement was unfair.

“For Manningham residents, our treasured park will suffer a loss of treed and open green spaces,” she said.

“The reality has hit home with tree trunks already marked with pink paint which signifies they’re to be cut down.”

North East Link spokeswoman Shelley Blake said options to save the tree had been explored but the standing reference design required it to be removed.

“Builders with local and international expertise may find a creative and innovative solution that preserves the historic tree, however, this will be challenging,” she said.

She said North East Link had not been tagging trees in Koonung Creek Reserve and the project would ultimately see more trees planted than removed.

The community has until June 7 to make a submission to the state government.

[e-mail]