Iconic plane trees, paperbarks along Frankston line, Glen Huntly at risk

Getting rid of two of Melbourne’s most dangerous level crossings also means losing hundreds of mature trees along the Frankston line.

Street tree fight: Queens Ave residents are gearing up to defend their trees. Picture: Lucy Callander

At least 600 trees will be ripped out as part of level crossing removals in Melbourne’s inner south.

Trees will be lost along a 1.5km stretch on both sides of the Frankston line near Glen Huntly station when the rail is lowered between Wattle Ave and Tattenham Street.

The trench will allow the removal of dangerous level crossings at Glen Huntly and Neerim roads.

The vegetation removal map for level crossing removals in Glen Huntly. Picture: supplied, LXRA

Trees facing the chop include those on Dorothy Ave, Royal Ave, Station Place, Derby Crescent and Lemington Crescent.

Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee said councillors were told 600 plus trees would go during a private briefing from the Level Crossing Removal Authority (LXRA).

“We’re talking about the Royal Ave plane trees and Station Place paperbarks that are so important to the neighbourhood,” Cr Magee said.

“Residents that once looked out onto beautiful trees will now be looking at carparks.”

Level Crossing Removal Project A/Program Director Andrew Brenchley said the authority had assessed every tree in the area and about 70 per cent would be retained.

“We’ll plant two trees for every one that requires removal to facilitate the project,” he said.

A total of 23 Canary Island date palms on Royal Ave would be removed for the work and replanted when the project was completed

The authority told the Leader that the rail corridor at Glen Huntly was narrow and trees and shrubs had to be removed to allow the trench to be dug, power and telecommunications cables installed and water and gas services relocated.

The work was also necessary to create temporary space for construction offices, machinery, and equipment.

The team had kept locals informed of work in the area — including vegetation changes — through door knocking and information sessions.

Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee fears these Queens Ave trees will be removed to make way for a shared bike and pedestrian path. Picture: Lucy Callander

The LXRA has also flagged removing mature trees on Queens Ave along the Caulfield Racecourse boundary to make way for a shared path.
Cr Magee said the Queens Ave were on council land and could not be cut down without council permission.

He vowed to fight for the trees and was even considering “chaining” himself to one in protest.

In the meantime, residents have attached signs to the trees reinforcing his warning against their removal.

Queens Ave residents say streets trees shield their views of Caulfield Racecourse. Picture: Lucy Callander.

Queens Ave resident Pauline Bowman said the trees shielded views of the racecourse fence and locals had added to the greenery by planting flower gardens along the strip.

“They’ll be devastated if it all has to go,” she said.

“I don’t understand why we need this path, there’s already a bike lane on the road.”

Other neighbours in the street were shocked to hear the trees would go.

“I feel blindsided,” a resident said.

“I did receive something in the letterbox about vegetation removal as part of the (level crossing removals) project, but it wasn’t spelt out how Queens Ave would be affected.”

The LXRA did not answer questions about the Queens Ave element of the project.