Protected trees at Newmarket Station Flemington face axe

A 100-year-old river red gum is one of four historic trees facing the axe to make way for rail works in Flemington.

Some of the trees facing the axe at Newmarket station.

As many as four historic trees are facing the axe in the inner west, with Metro claiming the tree roots are a “safety risk”.

Metro Trains spokesman Marcus Williams said tree roots were growing into the foundations of Newmarket Station and posed a safety risk.

But Moonee Valley Council Mayor Narelle Sharpe said the four trees at Newmarket Station, including a 100-year-old river red gum, were protected under an environmental significance overlay and heritage overlay, the strongest protection afforded under the Moonee Valley planning scheme.

The river red gum “is potentially the most significant tree in Moonee Valley”, she said.

BUCKLEY ST LEVEL CROSSING REMOVAL: PROTECTED TREES CUT DOWN

ANGER OVER CUTBACK OF LARGE TREES IN AIRPORT WEST

AVONDALE HEIGHTS RESIDENT ANNOYED COUNCIL PRUNED 30-YEAR-OLD TREE

Cr Sharpe said the trees are in good health, were in a prominent position and the removal of the trees would have a “huge impact” on the landscape around the station.

The sweeping century-old river gum that’s under threat.

The council met with Metro staff on Friday and asked them to provide detailed data about the root situation.

“We’ll be contracting an independent arborist to make a further assessment,” Cr Sharpe said.

Mr Williams said there were “no firm plans in place”, and Metro would continue to consult with council before any decisions are made,” he said.

There would be ongoing consultation with the council and residents, he said.

Cr Sharpe said council officers were investigating alternate solutions that did not involve removing the trees.

An arborist would assess the trees in the precinct.

Locals and commuters had mixed feelings about the tree felling.

Graeme Dobson said it was “disgraceful”.

The soaring trees under threat at Newmarket station.

Valeria Ferraro said she hoped the council was successful in saving the trees.

“We have already lost too many large established trees in the municipality. They are important to our environment and well being,” she said.

John Dickie said he was recently marvelling at how beautiful the area was around the station.

“The reserve with the trees is one of the best things Moonee Valley City Council has done in Flemington. It feels like only yesterday that Metro Trains wanted to urgently demolish the station buildings,” he said.

“Here’s hoping the engineers can again come up with some solutions.”

But Marcus De Vuono said it needed to be done before the roots caused more damage and someone ended up hurt.

The council wants to increase the tree canopy in Moonee Valley from 11 per cent currently to 30 per cent by 2040.

MORE NEWS

CARL’S JR OFFERING A YEAR OF FREE BURGERS

BIKE THIEF CAUGHT ON CAMERA