Workers began lopping branches from numerous trees on Wednesday as part of the proposed $672 million Western Highway Duplication project between Buangor and Ararat in Victoria’s western districts.
Major Road Projects Victoria (MRPV) employees, supported by police and security reportedly began to clear branches at a site nearby the intersection of Hillside Road and the Western Highway.
The work follows a demonstration on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne on Wednesday attended by up to a thousand protesters who oppose the roadworks.
In a written statement provided to NITV News, a spokesperson for MRPV said Wednesday’s activity continues the early works that have been carried out for the past several weeks across the 12.5 kilometre site.
“We’re continuing to install fencing, establish a site compound and complete surveying work,” the MRPV spokesperson said in a written statement.
“Early works have started and will continue progressively over the 12.5 kilometre alignment. Major works are dependent on the contractor’s scheduling and weather conditions.”
The statement also claimed MRPV had “all the necessary cultural heritage permissions” to proceed with the highway upgrade.
Earlier this week, the Aboriginal representative body recognised as the authority to speak on behalf of the Djab Wurrung clan under theTraditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, issued a statement urging the state government to respect the integrity of their decision-making for the highway upgrade.
The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) said the appropriate measures and processes had been followed in regards to preserving cultural heritage.
In May, EMAC that the Djab Wurrung community had “secured important cultural heritage outcomes as part of the revised route” of the Western Highway upgrade .
In a statement at the time, Eastern Maar Elder Ros Howden, a senior custodian for the trees, said she was happy with the outcomes of negotiations with the government.
“These trees are now protected and the road can go ahead,” Ms Howden said.
Aunty Marjorie Thorpe addresses crowd at Djab Wurrung protest Source: NITV, Rachael Hocking
Concerns remain
The Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the upgrade was first approved by the now deregistered RAP, Martang Pty Ltd, in October 2013.
The plan reportedly included measures to protect 21 Aboriginal heritage places along a proposed 12.5 kilometre route, but would also see around 3000 trees destroyed.
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation has been working with the Victorian government since 2017 after concerns were raised about two birthing trees on the project alignment. In February, the design of the project was altered to protect the two culturally significant trees.
Additional design revisions have allowed for 15 more trees of significance to the Djab Wurrung to be protected.
However, Eastern Maar member Marjorie Thorpe on Tuesday told NITV News that she had “major concerns” around the approvals process for the project.
"I've been to every full group meeting and never at any stage did the full group decide they want to go against saving these trees," said Ms Thorpe.
In a video posted to social media on Wednesday, Djab Wurrung Embassy founder Zellanach Djab Mara, who has occupied a protest site at the foot of one of the significant trees for around 15 months, said he was “devastated” to see trees along the alignment lopped.
“We’ve seen trees being cut and I’m so angry and so upset. So it’s time my people, it’s time to step up.”
