By Lilly O’Gorman
COMMUNITY members are still fighting to save one of Berwick’s historic oak trees which is destined for the chopping block to make way for the Clyde Road duplication.
VicRoads began relocating some of the oak trees along Clyde Road in December to make way for the $55.6 million duplication.
It will also plant 90 new advanced trees to replace the trees which couldn’t be saved, including the large oak tree opposite the Genesis gym.
But members of the community are not content with the plan to replace the tree and staged a small protest at the tree last Friday.
Former Mayor of the City of Berwick Syd Pargeter said changes to the duplication plan could allow it to be saved.
“If the bike lanes are centrally located east of the oak tree, then there (would be) sufficient road width to leave this proven Captain Robert Gardner planted tree remain, and traffic flow past it,” he said.
Charlie Broadhurst, project director of VicRoads south eastern projects, said this suggestion was not viable and if the tree was to remain the duplication could not take place.
“The tree outside of the Genesis gym beside Clyde Road is located in the proposed new northbound lanes and therefore needs to be removed,” Mr Broadhurst said.
“If the tree was to remain VicRoads would not be able to construct the proposed improvements to Clyde Road.
“Although a number of trees must be removed for works, the majority of the trees on the east side of Clyde Road are being retained.”
Julianne Bell, secretary of the Protectors of Public Lands Victoria, said she believed Captain Robert Gardiner, planted the oak tree 175 years ago, and named the town of Berwick.
“So we would’ve thought that Casey Council would be honouring the person that named Berwick.”
Ms Bell said she has been talking to VicRoads to see what can be done about modifying plans.
She said she would also try on behalf of the community to have the tree included on the National Trust Significant Tree Register.
Berwick District Woodworkers Club president Chris Drysdale spearheaded the campaign which resulted in the relocation and replanting of the oak trees along Clyde Road.
He said he was very happy with the community consultation conducted by VicRoads and The City of Casey Council.
“You can’t have utopia – you’ve got to make some compromises,” Mr Drysdale said.
“Preserving the tree is paramount but if it has to be moved, it has to be moved.”
He said the wood from the tree would be donated to the Woodworkers Club and a plan that would ensure its preservation would be announced shortly.
