Endangered swift parrot, 500-year-old gum trees cause roadblock in Yan Yean Rd upgrade
First, duplication of a busy Yan Yean road triggered complaints from neighbours and drivers about dust and punctures. Now, works are facing yet another unexpected delay.
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First, duplication of a busy Yan Yean road triggered complaints from neighbours and drivers about dust and punctures. Now, works are facing yet another unexpected delay.
The critically endangered swift parrot is standing in the way of the next construction stage for the Yan Yean Rd upgrade.
The latest hitch follows neighbours’ complaints the works are costing them sleep, and causing tyre punctures.
Under the plan, 5.5km of Yan Yean Rd will be widened from two to four lanes, between Kurrak Rd in Yarrambat and Bridge Inn Rd in Doreen.
Work on safety barriers, roundabouts, footpaths, drainage and the installation of new traffic lights will also be done.
But all of that is on hold while an Environmental Effects Statement is drafted into impact on the at-risk parrot, which lives in the area, as well as two 500-year-old redgum trees.
Major Roads Project Victoria (MRPV) will complete an Environmental Effects Statement (EES) to minimise the project’s impact on the environment.
Australian National University models state the swift parrot may face extinction by 2031 due to predation and loss of habitat.
Two 500-year-old red gum trees stand on the corner of Yan Yean and Doctors Gully Rd.
John Yeomans who owns 105 hectares of the land they’re on said the trees had become a symbol of Doreen.
“As soon as you come into Doreen you see them, they have become a part of our suburb,” he said.
“And there are even more of the significant trees along Bridge Inn Rd.
“We are not against the widening of the road, we just want some of these beautiful trees spared because they are such a significant part of Doreen and the landscape here.”
“We really hope they can redesign around the trees and the habitat where those beautiful parrots live,” Mr Yeomans said.
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Stage two of the Yan Yean Rd upgrade will also be delivered separately to the state government’s Northern Roads Upgrade package, which included the duplication of the adjacent Bridge Inn Rd.
Labor member for Yan Yean Danielle Green said she was aware of the two “significant” red gum trees at the corner of Yan Yean and Doctors Gully Rd.
“The EES is yet another opportunity to consult with the community to explore options as we finalise the design,” she said.
Major Roads Project Victoria could not provide details on when the statement would be completed.
MRPV could also not confirm how large the impacted environment was, as well as how many trees would be impacted.
Draft scoping requirements for public comment will be released in the coming weeks.
Neighbours are encouraged to visit your.roadprojects.vic.gov.au to learn about the EES process and sign up for project updates.