Bunbury Street, Footscray, tree removal
Ms STITT (Western Metropolitan—Minister for Workplace Safety, Minister for Early Childhood and Pre-Prep) (10:05): I was really saddened to learn from local residents in Footscray that the historic trees in Bunbury Street are starting to be removed. As a former resident of Bunbury Street, I was absolutely devastated to hear this because I know this is one of the oldest parts of Footscray. Those trees are over 100 years old; they must be 120 or 130 years old. They really do provide such fabulous shade and they are much loved by the community in that area, so I was quite shocked to hear that 12 of them are being removed. I am also concerned that it is really going to impact on that particular area of Footscray, which is very close to Footscray station. I would imagine without that great shade from those trees it would be a bit of a hotspot. There may very well be occupational health and safety issues with those trees, because they are getting quite old, but I do get the feeling from local residents that they really have not had much engagement from the Maribyrnong council. I would certainly urge Maribyrnong council to engage much more fully with the community about what the future is for the remaining trees in Bunbury Street.