Whitehorse Council was disappointed to learn that 3 out of 9 trees in the avenue of honour in Churchill Street Mont Albert would be removed.
Council shares residents’ concerns that these trees have significant local historic value and more should be done to protect them.
Whitehorse Mayor, Cr Tina Liu said we are dismayed that the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) sent out a letter advising the trees would be removed within a few short days.
“Council was not given advance warning of the letter. We have lobbied LXRP repeatedly on this matter over many weeks and again in the past 24 hours,” Cr Liu said.
“We have explored various options to protect the trees. The legislation enabling State Government major transport infrastructure projects provides broad powers to the Secretary of the Department of Transport managing the project through the LXRP to make these decisions, and leaves residents and Council with little voice and few options.
“There are more design issues and community concerns Council continues to pursue on the Level Crossing Removals at Mont Albert and Surrey Hills.
“We will continue to stand with and for our community advocating for these issues, but we are concerned that LXRP is not paying much regard to community or Council’s voice.”
