By Esther Lauaki
Gordon residents fearful for the future of 21 trees on the town’s Main Street have been assured their beloved streetscape is safe.
A plan published in November, 2017, on the Moorabool council website showed a proposed three-stage Main Street upgrade that included red crosses on the 21 trees to be axed.
The axing proposal upset a group of residents.
But Moorabool chief executive Derek Madden said last week only three trees would be removed, none of them on the main street, and 22 new trees would instead be planted.
The residents’ group, called We Love Gordon, tied yellow ribbons around the earmarked trees in a protest calling for construction of stage one, due to begin next month, to be deferred for further community consultation.
Gordon resident Stephen Derrick said the group believed removal of the trees would “destroy the unique character of this quiet village”.
Mr Derrick said that he hoped the yellow ribbon protest would highlight flaws in council’s community consultation processes.
“Little, if any, updated information on the passage of the project was provided to Gordon residents and ratepayers” he said.
“Council has not provided adequate information to the community.”
At a community meeting earlier this month Moorabool mayor Paul Tatchell said that the three trees on the chopping block were in Russell Street, off Main Street.
Stage one of the work is aimed at improving the landscape and safety in Main Street in the vicinity of Russell and Lyndhurst street intersections. Construction, due to start mid-February, will include drainage improvements, new rubbish bins, improved carparking, relocated bus stops, a new traffic island at Russell Street intersection and better pedestrian connectivity.
The We Love Gordon group will run a second community meeting at the Gordon Public Hall on January 22 from 7.30pm.
