By Alesha Capone
About 34 trees have been removed from near Dunnings Road in Point Cook, as part of the state government’s Western Roads Upgrade project.
A spokesperson for the Major Roads Project Authority (MRPA) said the native vegetation removal works began on August 2.
He said the trees were assessed as having no historical or heritage value before they were removed.
The MRPA did not answer Star Weekly’s questions about what type of trees had been removed, or the age of the trees.
However, the spokesman said the trees removal was necessary to make space to build extra lanes on Dunnings Road, upgrade intersections and improve cycling and walking paths.
“Every effort has been made to protect existing trees and vegetation but where areas of the road reserve are narrow, we need to remove vegetation to make these vital improvements,” the spokesman said.
He said 4000 new trees and 40,000 new shrubs would be planted throughout the Western Roads Upgrade area.
“Landscape plans are currently being designed which will detail where the new trees and shrubs will be planted,” he said.
