Trees vandalised
Six Monterey cypress saplings in Williamstown Botanic Gardens have been vandalised every week for a month, with the tops of the trees apparently snapped off to stop them growing. The trees had been planted 14 months ago to replace six others that had reached the end of their lives. A phased removal plan over a 15- to 25-year period has been drawn up for replacing dying trees with saplings of the same species. Anyone with information about tree vandalism is being urged to report it to Hobsons Bay council on 9932 1000.
Melhem quits as whip
Western suburbs MP Cesar Melhem yesterday quit his role as government whip in the upper house following pressure over evidence given at the Royal Commission into union corruption. Mr Melhem denied allegations of wrongdoing but said continuing speculation about his role risked distracting the government.
More than a pipe dream
Australian artist Matthew Harding’s sculpture Pipe Dreams has been chosen as Maribyrnong council’s latest public art commission. The $170,000 artwork will be installed at the entrance to Pipemakers Park, home of the Living Museum of the West, at Maribyrnong.
