Protesters moved from Alphington camp out to protect lemon-scented gums

Protestors lashed out at police after their three-week sit-in to stop trees getting cut down ended in heartbreak. Watch as a woman gets pulled away from the site.

Homeowners had been sleeping in the street for three weeks before trees were cut down this morning. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Dramatic footage has emerged of three police officers pulling a female protester away from two trees in Alphington.

Up to sixty police officers then formed a protective ring around two Alphington lemon-scented gum trees, removing protesters and allowing a gas company to chop them down.

The Save Our Trees group had been sleeping in the streets for three weeks after APA Group attempted to erect a fence around the site.

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Save Our Trees convener Helen Schapper said about 60 police officers arrived just before 7am.

Victoria Police confirmed one protester was physically removed from the trees.

“It’s very sad. Tragic. A real waste of public money,” Ms Schapper said.

“We’re just a group of ordinary citizens wanting to have a negotiation.”

APA Group had previously said the coating of the below-ground pipeline had been damaged by the trees and needed to be repaired.

An independent report from engineering multinational GHD Group estimated building a new pipe or relocating the pipe could cost up to $2 million, compared to $100,000 if the trees were removed.

“The death of these two wonderful 40-year-old trees is a real tragedy for the environment,” Ms Schapper said.

Victoria Police spokeswoman Scout Rigoni said police had set up an “outer cordon” to ensure community safety while repair works were undertaken.

Traffic management points will be in place in Alphington St, Park Crescent and Broomfield Ave.

@richardapearce