More than 20 trees in danger over level crossing works at Coburg park

Trees that have stood for half a century and beyond could face the axe as the Level Crossing Removal Project eyes works in a Coburg park.

Trees in Gandolfo Gardens in Coburg are under threat.

Campaigners are preparing to take on the Level Crossing Removal Project over beloved trees set for the chop in a Coburg park.

The trees in Gandolfo Gardens, which sits alongside Moreland railway station, are likely to be removed as the LXRP continues with its plan to install sky rail on the Upfield line.

No Sky Rail Upfield Line group treasurer Vanessa Birch claimed the authority had been “secretive with plans” and locals would fight to protect the trees.

Campaigners are ready to fight for the trees.

“(The LXRP is) doing this without releasing any information into the community,” she said.

“Unless we make some noise, they will ignore us and steamroll through.”

More than 20 trees sit in the gardens, which includes eucalyptus trees, various natives and an elm tree, most of which date back to the 1970s.

Brunswick state Greens MP Tim Read met with the authority earlier this month and said he was told the trees were classified as not sensitive and would likely be removed.

He said the authority needed to do everything possible to keep them in place.

Tim Read wants the trees to stay. Picture: Ian Currie

“The shady trees of Gandolfo Gardens will make the elevated rail so much more acceptable to the local residents that they should be preserved,” he said.

When asked by the Leader whether the trees were under threat, the LXRP did not respond.

But project director Michael Caink said works would attempt to “minimise impacts” on the environment.

“Significant planting and landscaping are part of all of our projects, we’re excited to work with the community on what planting they want to see,” he said.

An 898-signature petition prepared by the group that called for a rail trench rather than a rail-over-road solution will be tabled to state parliament by Mr Read.

Ms Birch said her group was opposed to rail-over-road because of its impact on heritage in the area and additional noise.

The LXRP is yet to confirm how the four removals on the 2km stretch, north from Moreland Rd to Bell St, will take place but Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan revealed to the Leader in October that rail-over-road was the preferred method.

@Josh__Barnes