Spare that tree, councillors plead

By Shaun Inguanzo
COUNCILLORS are fighting to save a 400-year-old redgum tree standing in the path of the Dandenong Southern Bypass.
But council officers have warned retaining the tree would mean the loss of nearby homes.
Councillors this week voted to seek National Heritage listing to protect the tree from EastLink builders working on the Dandenong Southern Bypass.
Despite comments from EastLink engineer Thiess John Holland that the tree would go, Dandenong North Ward councillor John Kelly said council should investigate options to keep it due to its historical significance as a tree native to the area.
But outgoing CEO Carl Wulff, in his final council meeting, said there was no option of retaining the tree and building the bypass at the same time. “It is not possible to move the bypass without impacting on people’s houses,” he said.
In spite of the warning, councillors voted unanimously to seek National Heritage listing for the tree this week.