The cutting down of trees to make way for the Newport level crossing removal project (LXRP) has been described as “state sanctioned environmental vandalism” by a Hobsons Bay councillor.
Cr Michael Disbury, whose ward of Williamstown North takes in Newport, slammed the removal of trees along Railway Parade from September 23-25 as part of LXRP works on nearby Maddox Road.
“Absolutely appalling wonton destruction by our state government’s LXRP agency, who has not once listened to the concerns of residents. NOT ONCE!,” wrote Cr Disbury on a Facebook post on September 23.
“And the environmental state sanctioned vandalism in Newport continues, day two of killing our community and suburb,” he wrote on September 24, accompanied by photos of stumps where the trees used to be.
“Apart from removing the tree canopy that the state government keeps insisting we need to increase, the state government’s LXRP agency has completely ruined Railway Parade to the detriment of wildlife, flora and fauna.”
Cr Disbury has been a vocal opponent of the Newport LXRP, especially plans to close Champion Road to traffic.
However his criticism of the removal of vegetation along Railway Parade was echoed by local residents who lamented the loss of trees that some of them had planted and were more than 50 years old.
“Such sadness to see our local large trees, including endangered mature native trees, gone and a vital amenity to our neighbourhood lost,” said Brendan Dowling, who coordinated tree planting along Market Street and Railway Parade for more than 20 years.
Jenny Read, who has lived in the area for 35 years, said the removal of the trees would result in more train noise and diesel emissions and make the area less visually appealing.
“No shade, no cooling effect, just more concrete,” Ms Read said.
An LXRP spokesperson said that after consulting with local residents, it had agreed to replace the trees with more vegetation elsewhere.
“We will plant 145 large trees and more than 35,000 plants, shrubs and grasses throughout the area,” the spokesperson said.
“We have worked with independent arborists and environmental experts to minimise the number of trees being removed as part of the project.”
