EastLink threat

By Shaun Inguanzo
A DANDENONG pensioner wants to slap an injunction on EastLink works in order to protect native trees from destruction.
The move comes as a further potential delay to the project after work was halted on another part of the scheme when Aboriginal artefacts were uncovered.
In EastLink’s latest hiccup, pensioner Dieter Keller has announced that money and community support were the only hurdles to him seeking an injunction on works near Fotheringham Reserve which will remove indigenous red gum trees to allow the tollway to pass through.
Mr Keller’s home in Alexander Avenue, Dandenong, where he has lived for 50 years, is protected from wind and noise by the tall trees.
He said he was angered by a recent letter from engineering company Thiess John Holland stating that the trees would be removed to allow Yarraman Creek to be shifted 50 metres east.
He said Thiess John Holland had employed a ‘slash and burn’ method of removing old trees to accommodate the tollway.
“They are bloody beautiful trees, why (move the creek) so wide?”
Mr Keller described the creek as filthy and said it acted as a catchment for stormwater and rubbish including plastic bags.
“We are going to lose that beautiful park and that creek will be closer to my house.”
He said he would prefer to see it barrel-drained instead of realigned and he appealed to the community for support in applying for the injunction.
But Friends of Fotheringham Reserve spokeswoman Christine Ware said moving the creek 50 metres east was its preferred option instead of having it barrel-drained under the tollway.
“Unfortunately, it is going to cause some havoc to the reserve but we can’t have it both ways.”
Thiess John Holland general manager of stakeholder relations Anthony Havers said trees being removed were estimated to be less than 100 years old.
He said works had undergone a consultation period with Melbourne Water, the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and the City of Greater Dandenong council.
He said wildlife would be rescued and relocated by licensed handlers and that works would take between six and eight weeks to complete, weather permitting.
He said sound barriers would be constructed to shield Alexander Avenue residents from the tollway’s noise.