SEE: ‘Gun to head’ road plan rebuffed.
A NEW VicRoads traffic plan for the east of Bacchus Marsh will threaten almost 60 important trees and breach environmental protection, a local conservationist says.
Bob Reid estimates 57 river red gums, some up to 350 years old, would need to be removed to make way for an eastern interchange.
“If they aren’t removed, they’ll be severely compromised.
“All the volunteer effort and the effort of the shire among other organisations such as Melbourne Water . . . I see this as a direct threat to that effort.”
Mr Reid said the trees were important for biodiversity.
“They provide food and shelter for wildlife.
“They also provide shelter for migrating birds.
“You will also have problems with erosion and soil salinity if these trees are removed.”
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below.
Mr Reid also had concerns for a scar tree that is on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register and protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.
“These are very important trees culturally.”
Mr Reid said the interchange proposal breached Moorabool Council’s red gum protection overlay.
An Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria spokesman said VicRoads was preparing a cultural heritage management plan for the area, including the registered scar tree.
VicRoads director Trevor Boyd said the maximum number of river red gums affected would be 23, of which only a few were of “mature status”.
“All options presented to Moorabool Shire Council required the acquisition of agricultural land and the removal of river red gums and 1980s elm trees,” he said.
“VicRoads is continuing to look at ways to minimise the impact on the local environment.”
