Government won’t listen as Blackburn devastation continues
The government’s devastation of Blackburn continues, with even more trees being cut down along South Parade as part of the Blackburn rail project.
This week has seen the loss of the magnificent gum tree opposite Main Street, for no apparent reason. A week ago it was still there and protected by separate fencing; by the end of the week, it was gone, with nothing remaining but a sad, shallow stump.
Of course, it may be unavoidable to remove some trees for worthwhile community projects, but the losses need to be minimized and the local community needs to be consulted and listened to.
Yet right across Melbourne, from Blackburn to St Kilda Road to Murrumbeena, Premier Andrews and his government are refusing to listen, and instead are just pressing on with whatever they’ve previously decided to do, regardless of the harm being done.
We deserve better than that from our state government. What should have been projects to bring lasting benefits to the whole community will instead leave needless losses and scars that will last for generations.