A Wyndham activist says she is willing to stand in protection of the Werribee Avenue of Honour and Calder Memorial trees, which she fears may be removed as part of the Western Roads Upgrade Project.
Lisa Heinrichs said she received a flyer in the mail from The Western Roads Upgrade Project team, informing her of tree maintenance activities scheduled along Geelong Road, where the Avenue of Honour and Calder Memorial trees stand.
Along with other members of Wyndham Community Activists group, Miss Heinrichs contacted council for assistance and informed residents of the proposed works, in an attempt to have the works halted.
“These trees are 104 and 94 years old. Trees, especially heritage trees, can’t just be replace,” she said.
“[The trees] were planted for a reason [and] if you take a drive down there, to have these big beautiful gums and … the wildlife they attract, it’s not just driving somewhere and just seeing rooftops.
“We have people ready and willing to be a physical barrier to them cutting down and removing these trees.”
Ms Heinrichs said she had the trees listed on the National Trust of Australia Register of Trees and Wyndham council’s significant tree register in about 2018.
However, a department of transport spokesperson said no trees on the Western Roads Upgrade Tree Maintenance Program were registered on the National Trusts Significant Tree Registry.
“Every tree within the Western Roads Upgrade Tree Maintenance program has been carefully assessed by a qualified arborist to determine what maintenance, if any, needs to be undertaken,” the spokesperson said.
“Ongoing monitoring and assessment of trees within the Western Roads Upgrade network is integral to ensuring the safety of the community and that of the road users.”
The spokesperson did not confirm whether Avenue of Honour and Calder Memorial trees would be removed, but said that trees classified as high risk due to poor health conditions would be removed.
Ms Heinrichs said she does understand that a small number of trees that should be removed for safety.
“If they’re about to topple over, we don’t want anyone injured,” she said.
