Anxiety over ancient tree

The potential removal of a gum tree that might be as old as 500 years is the latest issue concerning lobbyists trying to preserve environmental and cultural assets under threat from Western Highway dual-carriageway construction near Ararat.

The red-gum tree, which has a trunk measuring 5.3 metres in diameter and featuring a significant hollow, usually considered invaluable for wildlife habitat, is on the edge of a 3.85-kilometre interim works area.

Rosemary Bates, who has family connections to land in the area, said Main Roads Projects Victoria, MRVP, had declared intentions of removing the tree.

“With these features such as girth, non-living parts and a hollow trunk, this tree is more valuable for wildlife habitat than younger, simpler counterparts,” she said.

“Old trees are precious and might never be replaced.

“Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation was consulted by MRPV on whether the corporation thought the tree had any cultural significance.

“This shows that MRPV acknowledge it has scope to protect the tree.

“Avoiding large old trees should be absolutely automatic.

“However, the culture in construction industries and authorities is fully absorbed into and focussed on heavy machinery, its operation, earthworks, and the like. This focus requires the exclusion of any feeling of awe inspired by natural landscape, and any respect or liking for it. Even unique, ancient, impressive large old trees are described as firewood.

“Victoria has just lost 50 percent of its forests to fire.

“By protecting this tree, MRPV can show they genuinely, belatedly, want to wake up and to start to protect human life – and the web of life we depend upon – by moving away from their culture of dangerously powering through at any cost, in this time when the natural world is on its knees.”

Progress of dual-carriageway development on a 12.5-kilometre section of the Western Highway between Buangor and Ararat remains in the hands of Federal Minister Sussan Ley.

Ms Ley is still considering a Federal Court ruling that called for a fresh decision on a 2018 application to protect the area.

The court in December upheld an appeal from members of Djab Wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy regarding the development.

“With these features such as girth, non-living parts and a hollow trunk, this tree is more valuable for wildlife habitat than younger, simpler counterparts” – Rosemary Bates