Goya Dmytryshchak
A planned roundabout at the western end of the Esplanade in Altona has been redesigned to save an historic Aleppo pine tree.
It follows a petition to Hobsons Bay council signed by nearly 300 people.
Lead petitioner Jessica Kidd wrote that she had a family photo featuring the tree.
“There is a photo of the Kidd family of Altona taken 58 years ago that displays the tree already fully established in the background,“ she wrote.
“This means the tree could be over 100 years old (Aleppo pines can live to 150 years old).
“To cut this tree down would be such a tragedy for Hobsons Bay as once the tree is gone you cannot replace it, as no other tree would have the same history and memories.“
A report to the council states that a review of the design has resulted in the retention of the tree and incorporates the arborist assessment recommendation for a five-metre protection zone around it.
