Alphington residents rally to save pair of gum trees earmarked for the chop during gas works

PLANS to cut down two soaring gum trees during underground works have been met with fierce opposition in Alphington. But a gas company says there is no alternative.

PLANS to cut down two soaring gum trees during gas works have been met with fierce opposition in Alphington.

Concerned neighbours raised the alarm after two giant gum trees at the corner of Alphington St and Park Cres were earmarked for the chop.

PROTESTS FAIL TO HALT TREE CHOP

Gas firm APA Group plans to dig up part of the street for emergency repairs to an underground pipeline and has warned the trees need to be felled.

An Alphington woman told Leader the pair of trees, which sit at a roundabout, was planted at least 40 years ago. They are believed to be lemon-scented gums.

ANGER AS HIGHETT TREE GETS CHOP

More than 30 Alphington residents have criticised the plan and erected a “Save Our Trees” banner at the roundabout. The group gathered at the site last week for an impromptu protest.

Several people, who asked to remain nameless, worried the trees were under threat out of convenience, rather than necessity.

But APA Group state operations manager Robert Davis said the trees’ removal was unavoidable in order to repair a damaged pipeline.

TREE CHOP: MUM LUCKY TO DODGE $120K FINE

Failure of the pipeline, which is at risk of corrosion, could imperil gas supply to thousands of households.

“Alternatives, including realigning the pipeline to avoid the roundabout, were examined but would have resulted in greater environmental and property intrusion with lengthy road closures at the additional cost of millions of dollars,” he said.

“APA Group will revegetate with low-lying and non-invasive indigenous shrubs, along with

indigenous trees outside the required 3m clearance required for a transmission pipeline.”

THE OLD GUM TREE DIVIDING A NEIGHBOURHOOD

Yarra Mayor Daniel Nguyen admitted the council was powerless to intervene.

“Whist APA do not require a permit or permission from council to remove the trees, we are advocating to the company on behalf of the community to ensure all options for retaining the trees are explored,” he said.

Yarra Council maintains a significant tree register which tracks the municipality’s great trees, many of which are more than 100 years old.

But the Alphington St gums are not registered.

Vaughan Millar said this was no excuse to chop them down.

“I walk past these trees all the time, it’s my usual walking track and it’d be a real shame if they were to go,” he said.

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